The Bilingual/English as a Second Language Education Program has been established to ensure that students of limited English proficiency are provided with proven research based language instruction programs that will assist them to master English and to meet the same rigorous standards for academic achievement as all children are expected to meet and, to the extent possible, develop native language skills.

Vision

To improve and expand programs for children of limited English proficiency of the Virgin Islands which will effect a major and significant change in the delivery of educational services and create an optimum learning environment empowering the children, parents and staff to reach their fullest potential.

Goals

The goals of the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Education Program in the Virgin Islands are as follows:

1. To enable each limited English proficient students to develop the English language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing necessary for learning and achieving in English-only classes at a level equivalent to his/her academically successful peers whose primary language is English;

2. To maintain the student’s native language, whenever possible, so that each students may become fully bilingual;

3. To support the cultural heritage of the child.; and,

4. To ensure that all persons involved in the bilingual/ELA education effort will have an appreciation, respect, and understanding for diverse language/dialect and cultural communities.

Objectives

1. To maximize the programs’ resources to help participating students meet State standards;

2. To ensure that planning for students is incorporated into existing school planning;

3. To assist the districts in providing an accelerated, high quality curriculum;

4. To coordinate with and support the general instructional program to ensure that LEPs have equal access to: counseling, mentoring, college and career awareness and preparation; services to prepare students for the transition from school to work; services to assist pre-school children in transition from early childhood programs to elementary school programs;

5. To ensure the provision of instruction by highly qualified staff;

6. To provide opportunities for professional development; and,

7. To include strategies and increase parental involvement.