English Language Education

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School’s English Language Education Program is a Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) program designed to support English language learners (ELL) in acquiring English language proficiency as well as making academic and vocational progress towards attainment of a diploma and competency certificate while enrolled in our school. This approach makes use of instructional materials, learning tasks, and classroom techniques in academic and vocational content areas as the vehicle for developing language, knowledge of content, and study skills. Core academic teachers have DESE’s SEI endorsement or are in progress of attaining the endorsement. Both pull out and push in services (with bi-lingual support, if necessary) are utilized and individually determined based on student proficiency level and academic needs.  

 

English language learners and students (who have a language other than English spoken in their home) are identified upon registration so that second language instruction and translation services can be provided. The SVAHS Program of Studies, Student Handbook, Parent's Rights, and other important documents are available to parents and students in the language of the home. Translators are provided at parent meetings and special events.

 

By Massachusetts law and regulation, English language learners are assessed using the ACCESS for ELs assessment. Students score between Levels 1 and 5 and these scores are used to inform student placement in the following year. Students who have been enrolled in a school in the United States for a year or more are also required to participate in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). If you have questions regarding the SVAHS's English Language Education Program or state testing requirements as they pertain to ELL students, please contact:

Katherine Dunne, ELE Teacher (413) 587-1414 ext. 3571 (kdunne@smithtec.org) or Michael Parks, Curriculum Director (413) 587-1414 ext. 3478 (mparks@smithtec.org)