Special Services
English Language Learners
During the application process to North Carolina Virtual Academy (NCVA), all families will answer a series of questions to understand the student's home language as a first effort in the Child Find process and to determine if the student needs English language support. Students with positive responses to any of the Home Language Survey questions will be referred to the English Language Learner (ELL) point of contact.
An ELL is defined as an individual aged 3 through 21:
- who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary or secondary school;
- who is a Native American or Alaska Native, or a native resident of the outlying areas; and
- who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the individual's level of English language proficiency; or
- who is migratory, whose native language is a language other than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; and
- whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the individual:
- the ability to meet the state's proficient level of achievement on state assessments described in section 1111(b)(3);
- the ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English; or
- the opportunity to participate fully in society
NCVA's ELL contact will talk with the student's family to determine if services were previously provided at the last school of attendance and will work to understand the student's current language needs. Additionally, NCVA will request and review prior school ELL records, including previous evaluations and program plans to determine if a placement test or an assessment is necessary to determine ELL services support. The WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT) is administered to all initially enrolled language minority students. This test functions as a screener used for the initial assessment and for the placement of students in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program who are identified as limited English proficient.
When a student is identified as ELL, they will participate in the school's ESL program. The program provides English language instruction for students (pull-out, inclusion, or consultative). This program takes into account the student's level of English proficiency and builds on the language skills and academic subject knowledge of the student. Some students of limited English proficiency may have modified instruction and assessments geared to meet their needs. Students who qualify for ELL services are assessed annually in: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing using the W-APT for ELLs.
It is important that ESL students receive the same academic opportunities as students who are proficient in English. NCVA is committed to the success of all students.
For more information about NCVA's ELL program, please contact Casie Copple at ncvaspecialprograms@ncvacademy.org.
A professional translator may be requested at any time by contacting NCVA at 855.669.3660.
