Leaders in EPSD with positions of power and authority are dedicated to enhancing staff capacity to identify inequities within school structures, disrupt inequitable practices, and develop staff members. Our leaders are in service to the communities they serve including students, staff, families, and advocacy groups in order to guide decisions and efforts to promote a positive culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. Leaders will engage and involve stakeholders in providing voice that leads to decision making.  Leaders will engage stakeholder voice by:

• Establishment of a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse District Focus Group (CLD Focus Group) to serve as an advisory committee to the district.
• Establishment of the EPSD PK-12 ELD Professional Learning Community to monitor, evaluate, and implement the mission, vision, and goals of ELD k-12 programming throughout the district.

EPSD expects culturally responsive pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, and grading. Leaders are dedicated to focusing professional learning and collaboration on culturally responsive teaching.  District leaders will provide professional learning to staff members surrounding culturally responsive teaching by:

• Training for new district staff and refresher training for returning district staff annually using two critical text: 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners & SIOP
•  Intentional District-wide professional learning opportunities focused on theory and practice for culturally responsive teaching and strategies for ELD students.
• Targeted individualized or small group professional learning opportunities utilizing instructional coaching support.
• Review current and future curriculum through culturally inclusive and responsive rubrics so staff can reflect on current content, assessments, and practices. 

Building administrators, such as principals and assistant principals monitor and evaluate the services being provided for English language learners in their building site.  In addition, they work with district leadership and their instructional coach to assess the need for continued teacher professional learning and deliver professional learning to staff at their building site. 

Our ELD teachers deliver English language acquisition to ELL students based on the identification of the student and the needs identified in their personalized ELD plan.  This instruction can be direct language instruction or indirect language instruction by pushing into classrooms to support the student with reading, writing, listening, and speaking. 

The ELD teacher is responsible for:

• Providing direct instruction for ELD students (NEP & LEP)
• Providing push in support for ELD students (FEP)
• Monitors the academic progress of FELL students on monitor status
• Writes and monitors the personalized learning plans for ELL students (ELD Plan)
• Communicates the ELD plan for students with all stakeholders
• Works collaboratively with other teachers to help foster and plan instruction for ELL students

All teachers at EPSD respond to the learning needs of our ELL students by participating in ongoing professional learning to develop effective practices for English language learners.
All teachers are responsible for:

• Collaborates with the ELD teacher on the design of the ELD plan
• Review, understand, and follow the ELD plan for students and follow the accommodations/modifications in the ELD plan
• Participate in professional learning regarding Tier 1 ELD practices and strategies
• Consult with the ELD teacher on a regular basis to provide the best instruction possible for ELD students.
• Communicate with the family and utilize the cultural liaison when needed. 

Our ELD population is predominantly  Hispanic, therefore EPSD is dedicated to supporting our English Language Learners with bilingual Spanish-speaking family cultural liaisons in every school.  For students and families needing support in languages other than Spanish, EPSD will make every effort to acquire written and oral translation support through outside resources and technology. 

Family Liaisons in EPSD schools bridge home to school communication for families of English Language Learners. Liaisons assist with:

• Translation of written materials
• Interpretation between school staff and families
• Parent/Family education and engagement in their child’s learning
• Assistance with community resources and referrals

EPSD is dedicated to providing bilingual paraprofessional support for students to assist with academic tutoring. 

In order to provide these services for ELD students, the district is dedicated to the following staffing plan:

Elementary School

• 1 ELD teacher for grades PK-2 
• 1 ELD teacher for grades 3-5
• 1 ELD paraprofessional 
• 1 Cultural Liaison/ ELD paraprofessional

Middle School

• 1 ELD teacher for grades 6-8
• ½ time Cultural Liaison/ELD paraprofessional

High School

• 1 ELD teacher for grades 9-12
• 1 Cultural Liaison/ELD paraprofessional