U-46 English learners ahead of curve

Students learning English in Elgin Area School District U-46 exceeded state goals for learning and proficiency, according to a recently released report from the Illinois State Board of Education.

The 2010 Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives report card, which measures the achievements of students with limited English proficiency or immigrant students under the No Child Left Behind Act, showed more English Language Learners — or ELL students — in U-46 are attaining English proficiency.

“The state does the report cards that everyone sees in October,” U-46 spokesman Tony Sanders said. “This is the second measure of achievement for districts that have bilingual students.”

The district serves about 8,600 bilingual students across all grades.

According to the report, 99 percent of the limited English proficient students are making progress in learning the English language, in excess of the state target of 91 percent.

In addition, more than twice the required percentage of English language learners are attaining English proficiency, which means the students have learned enough English to no longer require the ELL services. In 2010, 15.8 percent of U-46 students were proficient. The state standard was 6 percent.

U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres said in a news release that the measurable gains were evidence of the hard work and commitment of the U-46 teachers and students.

“Their success is something to celebrate and build on,” Torres said. “One of our goals is to improve student performance and eliminate achievement gaps and this is certainly a step in the right direction.”

Districts that receive federal funds for Title III students — bilingual students — must meet set objectives for proficiency and learning annually. Progress is determined through a statewide English proficiency test, as well as student performance on regular assessments such as the ACCESS, ISAT, and Prairie State Achievement Exam.