ESL / LOTE

Ms. Lucille Lauron
Teacher/Department Chairwoman

INTRODUCTION
The Guam Department of Education recognizes that a large number of its students come from homes where a language other than English is spoken. The full participation of these students in regular classroom instruction and their achievement of the Department's academic goals depends on their acquisition of full English proficiency.

The English as a Second Language/Language Other Than English (ESL/LOTE) Program has been developed and implemented to identify, assess, and provide appropriate educational services to all students whose English sckills are not proficient. The program is designed to meet federal requirements for the elimination of discriminatory educational practices, as set forth in the Civil RIghts Act of 1964, the Bilingual Education Act of 1968, the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, and the United States Supreme Court Decision of Lau vs. Nichols (1974).

PHILOSOPHY
The ESL/LOTE Program focuses on the development of English communication skills in an environment that treats language as a whole, real, authentic, and interesting. The four skills necessary for effective communication in English - listening, speaking, reading and writing - are addressed in this context. Attention must be paid to promoting the hight order thinking skills of ESL/LOTE students. English and academic proficiency are developed within an atmosphere of respect for native language and culture of the students. Every effort must be made to intergrate ESL/LOTE students into the regular classroom and curriculum as quickly and completely as possible.

PROGRAM GOALS

To ensure that appropriate ESL/LOTE curriculum and materials are selected, developed, utilized and evaluated.

To provide ESL/LOTE training to administrators, instructional and non-instructional personnel.

To identify students who are not proficient in English.

To provide a program of LEP students that develops their academic skills to a level where they can participate fully in the regular classroom.

To promote family and community involvement in the development and implementation of the ESL/LOTE Program.

TO evaluate the effectiveness of the ESL/LOTE Program.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Division of Curriculum and Instruction provides leadership and support in curriculum, program, and staff development to the school community so that our students will be producation citizens and life-long learners.

BILINGUAL EDUCATION ACT TITLE VI OF ESEA 1968
Provides federal funding for programs designed to enable limited English proficient students to proficiency in English while using native language to support academic growth.

CIVIL RIGHTS ACT TITLE VI 1964
No person in the United States shall, on the ground race, color, or national origin...be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity recieving federal financial assistance.

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ACT 1974
Prohibits states from denying equal educational opportunity to anyone because of his/her race, color, sex, or national origin by an educational agency's failing to act appropriately to overcome language barriers that impede students' equal participation in its instructional program.