English as a Second Language

Administrative Considerations

Eligibility for Schooling

It is the school district's responsibility to screen all pertinent documentation in order to determine eligibility for student services. In addition to supplying proof of age and residency (to meet the requirements specified in the School Act) and records of immunization (conforming to the standards for all students set out by the school district), a student who was not born in Canada must provide proof of legal admittance into the country in order to attend school. Any one of the immigration documents cited in the following chart will serve as proof of legal admittance to Canada. If the student or the student's family have immigration documentation that is not listed here, contact the nearest Canada Immigration Centre and review local school board policy to determine the student's eligibility for schooling.

Immigrant Status
Document
Particulars
1  Landed Immigrant or Permanent Resident Immigrant Record of Landing (IMM 1000) · legal permission to enter Canada to establish permanent residence

· no other documentation required

2  Dependent of Temporary Worker Student Authorization · temporary worker should request this prior to arrival, but can do it within Canada (dependents of legal temporary workers are eligible to attend public school)

· is valid for a specified time period, and can be renewed

· not issued to students of Kindergarten age (ensure parent has a valid employment or Student Authorization), although these same students will require it to enter Grade 1

3  Refugee Claimant Letter of No Objection or Student Authorization · issued to individuals who are claiming refugee status shortly after arrival at port of entry

· students given a Letter of No Objection need to apply for a Student Authorization (see above)

4  Dependent of Foreign Student Student Authorization · see #2 above
5  Minister's Permit Holder Minister's Permit · issued to an individual in specific instances

· is valid for a specified time period, but may be renewed

6  Dependent of Foreign Diplomat Diplomatic Identity Card or Diplomatic Passport · issued to individuals in consular positions

· eligible to attend school

7  Exchange or International Visa Student International or Visa Student Authorization · students must apply to and be accepted by a school district or specific institution

· issued prior to arrival in Canada

· valid only for attendance in the school district or institution identified on the authorization

Provincial Funding for ESL

Students for whom ESL funding is being provided by the Ministry of Education need to be receiving ESL service that is clearly identifiable and distinct from classroom adaptations that would normally be provided to address student differences. In order for a school to claim ESL funding from the Ministry for any student, the school submitting the funding claim (i.e., on form 1701) must prepare and maintain:
  • a description of the student's current English language proficiency (based on an assessment carried out in the year for which funding is claimed)
  • an instruction plan (individual or group) designed to meet the student's needs
  • a list of the additional, specialized ESL services being provided to the student (these services may include reception classes, pull-out services, and/or services provided in a regular classroom environment)
  • evidence of the student's reported progress in acquiring English.

Form 1701 provides further details of these requirements. Form 1701 instructions also clearly note that "reduction of class size by itself is not a sufficient service to meet the definition of ESL services."

Districts have the responsibility to provide educationally appropriate ESL services to all students who require them. (from English as a Second Language Policy Framework. Ministry of Education, 1999)

Roles and Responsibilities

The Ministry of Education

The Ministry:

  • promotes the equitable participation of ESL students in the educational system in British Columbia,
  • sets standards, develops necessary policy, and establishes guidelines for ESL services,
  • provides and allocates funding to School Districts,
  • monitors that funding for ESL services is equitably distributed and effectively used,
  • reviews and monitors ESL services to determine educational outcomes,
  • works with teams of educators to identify effective practices in ESL and supports educators' efforts to improve ESL services, and
  • analyzes student enrollment trends and distribution to facilitate long-term educational planning.

School districts:

School districts:

  • provide educationally appropriate English as a Second Language services to all students who require them,
  • develop local ESL policies and procedures,
  • ensure that educators assigned to deliver ESL services are appropriately trained and have the necessary skills,
  • ensure that all educators and support staff who work with ESL students have access to relevant staff development opportunities, and
  • clearly identify who is responsible for administering ESL services in the district.

Schools:

Schools:

  • implement ESL services,
  • enrol students and determine classroom placement,
  • plan the educational program,
  • inform parents and consult with them about decisions that significantly affect their children,
  • facilitate access to resources and support for effective implementation of ESL services,
  • facilitate the collaboration among all educators providing ESL services, and
  • promote an environment which values diversity, bridges cultures and works to eliminate racism.

Teachers:

Teachers of ESL students:

  • work collaboratively to identify, plan and provide services to ESL students,
  • provide effective instruction,
  • provide ongoing assessment, and
  • report progress.

(from English as a Second Language Policy Framework pp12-13,
Ministry of Education, 1999)

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