Introducing the Steps to English Proficiency App March

Introducing the Steps to English Proficiency App March 7, 2016 #ELLPeel

We are on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation

Welcome and Introductions Zaiba Beg, Instructional Coordinator ESL/ELD Programs K-12 Greg Yantz, Project Manager- Web Application Developer and Business Integration Leader Jody Bayes, ESL/ELD Resource Teacher Three Pilot Schools: • Ridgeview P. S. • Great Lakes P. S. • Calderstone Middle School Instructional Technology Resource Teachers #ELLPeel

GOALS • Reviewing key messages about STEP • Learning about and exploring the functions of the new app • Consider next steps for our practice in schools #ELLPeel

Agenda Welcome/Introductions Where are we in the STEP implementation journey? Key features/functions of the STEP App Time to explore Learning and next steps… Questions #ELLPeel

Steps to English Proficiency (STEP) is a framework for assessing and monitoring the language acquisition and literacy development of English language learners across The Ontario Curriculum. STEP is one of a number of resources written to assist teachers in supporting a growing demographic of English language learners in Ontario schools. To have English language learners (ELLs) attain high levels of achievement, across the Ontario curriculum, teachers need resources to support programming and a means of assessing and tracking student progress over time.

Moving Forward with STEP in Peel Schools Where are we in the implementation? • • Developing Building Consolidating Sustaining

• Time • Addressing consistency in Some challenges assessment identified by • Strategies for shared Peel ESL responsibility between teachers in Oct. classroom and ESL teachers 2014 …being • Staff managing the addressed implementation of STEP through a • Clarifying STEP through collaborative opportunities for solution- seeking professional learning approach

New User Guide

Steps to English Proficiency Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Everyday Language Academic Language Step 6

Benefits of STEP include. . . • user friendly for all educators • addresses the issues of vague descriptors of the Four Stages, STEP linked to Ontario curriculum • improves parent communication and transparency • promotes all aspects of assessment for learning • facilitates recognition of ELLs and appropriate accommodations on EQAO and other large-scale assessments • provides a common framework Grades 1 -12 • supports successful transitions of ELLs

ESL Observable Language Behaviours (OLBS) Element: • names and describes language concepts or skills that make a connection to the Ontario curriculum Descriptors: • Intended to capture distinct language behaviours that can be observed across curriculum through daily instructional activities • Identifies what students can do

Understanding the Six Steps Continuum of English Language Proficiency Step Beginner Intermediate Advanced Early Beginner Late Beginner Early Intermediate Later Intermediate Early Advanced Later Advanced 1 2 3 4 5 6 Six STEPS • beginner, intermediate, advanced • early & late phases within each • Students move fluidly from one grade band to the next (Grade 1 to 3; Grade 4 to 6; Grade 7 to 8 and Grade 9 to 12) • Students typically take 5 to 7 years to move from everyday English to academic language proficiency

STEP is a resource which • Supports assessment for learning practices in our classrooms • Assists teachers to adapt programs and scaffold instruction to meet the language learning needs of ELLs • Supports the reliable and valid collections of observations, conversations and products.

Collecting evidence of student learning over time, across contexts Source: Pedagogical Documentation Monograph, October 2012

Assessment for Learning s l a o G g n i n Lear s s e c c Su ria e t i Cr Des crip tive Fee dba ck

Adaptations Determine student’s language proficiency on STEP using the oral, reading and writing continua for the grade cluster Adapt program where needed based on language proficiency Accommodations Strategies used to help student meet the course expectations Evaluate based on: • modified expectations, or • grade expectations Modifications Adjustments to expectations and/or performance criteria (for beginning English language learners)

Introducing the Step App…. The link to download the app is http: //pdsb. me/pdsbapps The link for the web version is http: //pdsb. me/pdsbell #ELLPeel

Step Pilot Schools #ELLPeel

Supporting ELLs in the Peel DSB Thank you for your instructional leadership! School leaders have a crucial role to play in initiating and legitimizing the process of collaborative critical inquiry and enabling teachers to engage in school-based language and instructional planning. #ELLPeel Source: Big Ideas for Expanding Minds: Teaching ELLs Across the Curriculum, p. 132 (Dr. Jim Cummins and Dr. Margaret Early, 2015*)