Bilingualism & EL

Dual Language Program

Antonia Pantoja Charter School prides itself in its Dual Language Program whose intended outcome is to graduate bilingual,  bi-cognitive, bi-literate and multicultural students. Parents enrolling their children in the Antonia Pantoja Charter School must complete a Home Language Survey. Proficiency in two languages is deemed the most important mission of the Antonia Pantoja Charter School as this would provide our students with a decided advantage in today’s highly competitive global workplace.

 

 

• When students enroll at Antonia Pantoja Charter School, they complete an application packet that includes a Home Language Survey (HLS) as required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Families also complete a form asking for all previous schools attended.
• If a language other than English is indicated, student transcripts are reviewed, and the student’s previous school is contacted to determine whether the student is eligible for ELD services.
• Parents/guardians are asked additional questions in their language to examine multiple criteria to determine if a formal assessment of the student’s English language proficiency is warranted.
• If the school cannot determine whether or not services were previously received and there is no evidence of grades determining proficiency, or if this is the student’s first school experience in the United States, the W-APT (kindergarten)/WIDA Screener (1-12) is administered.
• If students qualify for the LIEP, parents/guardians receive a placement letter indicating the language proficiency level of the student and that the student qualifies for services. Parents/guardians are also informed of the reclassification criteria to exit the program.