Hi everyone,
Last week I went to a MOE presentation at a local cluster group on the ELLP application process for ESOL funding so this is the focus of today’s post. I will only highlight the main points and hopefully clarify some of the confusions. I hope that this will be particularly beneficial for schools that have not yet moved to the ELLP process.
It is useful to understand that the ELLP funding application process was extensively trialled in 2013 in 199 schools and was researched by NZCER for over 4 years.
Information regarding the ESOL Funding, ELLP Application process
Completing the ELLP matrices is an ongoing process based on your school’s usual age and ELL-appropriate assessment tools, activities and observations. Twice a year, schools draw from this evidence to apply for ESOL funding. This should not be seen as additional to the school’s normal assessment schedule but as an integral part of it. Teachers will continue to use a wide range of assessment tasks, activities and observations to make an OTJ (overall teacher judgement) with reference to the various descriptors on the ELLP matrices.
Teachers frequently ask how ELLP ‘matches with’ other key documents such as the Literacy Learning Progressions and National Standards. The nautilus diagram (page 12 of the ELLP Introduction booklet) illustrates in a global sense how students coming in to schools at different ages and with differing levels of English language ability can access the New Zealand curriculum. While ELLP is used alongside other documents, there will not be an exact match for all students. ELLP assists with tracking and monitoring ELLs’ acquisition of English language skills. The path they take can be very different from that of a native speaker of English. However, ELLP does link directly to other key Ministry ELL resources such as SELLIPS and ELIP.
ELLP PLD has been available for a number of years since the ELLP document was published and distributed to schools. Resources provided to assist schools include the online Using The English Language Learning Progressions: professional support for leaders and teachers modules and the Using the ELLP matrices DVD which was sent to all schools with funded students and is available from Down the Back of the Chair. The feedback from the 199 schools that participated in the trial into the use of ELLP to confirm ESOL funding eligibility indicated strongly that the document itself was the most common and useful source of information for teachers, followed by the online support modules.
Questions for Reflection
Questions for schools/teachers already using the ELLP process for applying for ESOL funding
Questions for schools still needing to transition to the ELLP ESOL funding application process
Useful Online Funding ESOL and ELLP Resources
I think it would be useful to share ideas on this community forum on what you did in your school to inform teachers’ on teaching ELLs and using ELLP especially for ESOL funding application purposes. It would be great to hear stories from schools already using ELLP for funding, how have you found the process, what tips can you share? Have you got a great staff activity/idea that worked really well that you could share?
Primary ESOL Community News
Secondary ESOL
Literacy
I will send this week’s useful online sites, blogs and webinars links later this week.
I hope to hear from you soon
Kind regards
Janet McQueen
Comments
Hey Janet,
What a great summary of the ELLP sessions. Thanks for sharing.
I will add the link to our cluster site.
Thanks Sonya I am glad that you have found it useful.
I have updated the blog post so if you accessed this blog earlier you may like to check it again for small changes I have made.