Since the late 1970s, the ESOL/Bilingual/Migrant Program of the St. Louis Public Schools has served over 25,000 students that speak more than 78 languages. Most students are refugees from war-torn countries such as Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia, Iraq, Kurdistan and Afghanistan, Somalia, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Other students are immigrants from Mexico and Latin America, Asia and Europe.

The program provides English language instruction and content-area assistance to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. A highly qualified teaching staff offers a balanced and age-appropriate program that prepares students for participation in the mainstream curriculum and in district-wide assessment. Instruction focuses on speaking, listening, reading and writing language domains.

All language minority students entering the SLPS register through the ESOL/Bilingual/ Migrant Registration Center. A language survey confirms their status as English language learners (ELL). A placement test ascertains their eligibility for ESOL academic services and determines their initial proficiency level and placement. A parent notification letter offers parents the choice of services. To monitor adequate yearly progress, students take the Missouri English Language Assessment Test, MACII.

At the middle and high school levels students benefit from the services offered by the program’s lead academic counselor. The counselor evaluates international transcripts for credit transfer, ensures proper scheduling, and conducts career counseling. All language minority students are required to take the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) to follow their progress in Communication Arts, Math and Science. The lead counselor also coordinates MAP assessment of ESOL students’ district-wide.

Because the majority of families in the program are refugees from war-torn countries, the social and emotional support needed to stabilize students/families is a priority and a challenge. A team of dedicated social workers addresses basic family-related school issues such as attendance, discipline and transportation or immunization concerns. They also address mental health issues through diversity training, peer mediation groups, post-war trauma support groups and referrals to appropriate resources.

To ensure equal access and minimize the language gap an Interpretation/ Translation Unit is available to assist parents’ understanding of the American educational system. The parent support team further assists by meeting with families on a regular basis to educate them on their rights and responsibilities and to keep them informed.

The steady stream of refugees and immigrants in SLPS is an asset, a resource, and a welcomed challenge. The ESOL/ Bilingual/ Migrant program’s role continues to be preparing our students for academic success in the mainstream, meeting their socio-cultural and adjustment needs, and building welcoming multicultural schools and communities.