Introduction
The Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence for each and every student we serve. It is in this light that this page has been created to outline procedures and guidelines for serving our English Learners and their families.
This page will be periodically updated in order to reflect current best practice, as well as to be in compliance with state and federal guidelines.
Federal Law (Lau Requirements)
Federal Definition of an English Learner:
An individual—
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who is age 3 through 21;
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who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary school or secondary school;
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(i) who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English; (ii) who is a Native American or Alaska Native, or a native resident of the outlying areas; and who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the individual's level of English language proficiency; or (iii) who is migratory, whose native language is a language other than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; and
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whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the individual—
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(i) the ability to meet the State's proficient level of achievement on State assessments described in section 1111(b)(3);
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(ii) the ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English; or (iii) the opportunity to participate fully in society.
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Lau v. Nichols (1974)
Where inability to speak and understand the English language excludes national origin-minority group children from effective participation in the educational program offered by a school district, the district must take affirmative steps to rectify the language deficiency in order to open its instructional program to these students.
Contact Information
Questions about the English Learner Program at CSCSHC can be directed to:
Brian Dinwiddie
Curriculum Coordinator
bdinwiddie@newpal.k12.in.us
(317) 861-4463 ext. 1014