NORTHAMPTON — The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking community feedback to inform a review of Northampton Public Schools’ English Learner Education program.
According to the state, DESE conducts Targeted and Focused Monitoring, or TFM, reviews of each district’s and charter school’s English Learner Education program every six years in an effort to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations.
Northampton Public Schools English Learner Education Coordinator Lauren Barry told Reminder Publishing that the review for Northampton is scheduled for Oct. 20 and will evaluate areas such as English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners, what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, ELE program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.
Barry added that families should know that DESE actively invites parents, guardians and community members to also share their feedback, questions or experiences directly with the district with TFM Chairperson Sibel Hughes. Hughes can be reached via email at Sibel.Hughes@mass.gov.
“Family and public engagement ensures that DESE’s review reflects the real, day-to-day experiences of our English learner students and their families,” Barry said. “Sorting through community feedback allows DESE and the district to highlight current strengths and focus on targeted improvements to better serve our students and families.”
Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district or charter school with a report detailing areas in which they meet or exceed regulatory requirements and areas in which they require assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be made available to the public at www.doe.mass.edu/ele//cprdefault.html.
“The district values this regular six-year monitoring process as a constructive tool for maintaining high educational standards and continuously improving our English Learner Education program,” Barry added. “Once finalized, the review report will be accessible to the public online via DESE’s compliance portal.”
