State to review Northampton's English Learner Education program
The state will conduct a six-year compliance review of the district's program for students learning English.
NORTHAMPTON — The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will review Northampton Public Schools' English Learner Education program on October 20, and the agency is asking families and community members to share feedback about the district's work with English learner students.
DESE conducts these Targeted and Focused Monitoring reviews of each district's English Learner Education program every six years to ensure compliance with federal and state laws. The review will examine student assessments, identification of English learners, program placement, parent involvement, curriculum, instruction, support services, staff licensure, program plans, and record-keeping.
Lauren Barry, Northampton Public Schools' English Learner Education Coordinator, said the district welcomes input from families and the public. People can share their experiences directly with the review's chair, Sibel Hughes, at Sibel.Hughes@mass.gov. "Family and public engagement ensures that DESE's review reflects the real, day-to-day experiences of our English learner students and their families," Barry said.
About 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chair will issue a report detailing areas where the district meets requirements and where it needs to improve. The report will be posted to DESE's compliance portal and made available to the public.
Barry described the monitoring process as a constructive tool for maintaining standards. "The district values this regular six-year monitoring process as a constructive tool for maintaining high educational standards and continuously improving our English Learner Education program," she said.