English as a Second Language

The Board of Education recognizes the need to provide equal educational opportunities for all students in the district. Therefore, if the inability to speak and understand the English language excludes a student from effective participation in the educational programs offered by the district, the district shall take appropriate action to rectify the English language deficiency in order to provide the student equal access to its programs.

An English Learner is any student who:

1.  Is age 3–21, and

2.  Is enrolled or is preparing to enroll in the district, and

3. Has difficulties speaking, reading, writing or understanding English that may be sufficient to deny the individual the ability to attain proficiency on state assessments, the ability to be successful in a classroom where instruction is in English, or the opportunity to participate fully in society, and

4.   Meets one of the following additional requirements:

•  Was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English, or

•  Is Native American, an Alaska Native or a native resident of the outlying areas 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

• Is a migratory individual whose native language is a language other than English and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant.

The Ash Grove R-IV School District’s English Language program coordinator is Dr. Hannah Thompson, Director of Special Services.