OGT News: ESL students put stress on districts
The influx of non-English speaking students in Columbus City Schools has put unusual stress on the urban district and that stress is spreading to the suburbs, according to a story in today's Dispatch.
Nearly 3,600 students are receiving ESL (English as a second language) help in the district, up from 898 just 10 years ago. All speak limited or no English. The number gives Columbus the highest number of ESL students in the state.
The students come from Somalia and various Latino countries - to name a few points of origin. Educators say all seem eager to learn and many master language skills quickly. The law requires they start taking standardized Ohio tests immediately, although their scores don't count toward the district's report card for the first year.
Come the second year, their test scores are added into the mix. That gives teachers only one year to get students up to speed not only with the language, but with all aspects of the curriculum.
While state subsidies are greater in districts hobbled with poor and disabled students, they do not compensate districts for non-English speaking children. That puts an extra financial burden on districts like Columbus where the demand for ESL teachers is growing, but the money is short to hire them.
In addition, the numbers of ESL students are spilling over to suburban districts around Columbus such as Westerville, Grove City and Southwestern City Schools. The problem is spreading. But nearly two decades after Ohio's school funding decision, there's no clear solution in sight.
Nearly 3,600 students are receiving ESL (English as a second language) help in the district, up from 898 just 10 years ago. All speak limited or no English. The number gives Columbus the highest number of ESL students in the state.
The students come from Somalia and various Latino countries - to name a few points of origin. Educators say all seem eager to learn and many master language skills quickly. The law requires they start taking standardized Ohio tests immediately, although their scores don't count toward the district's report card for the first year.
Come the second year, their test scores are added into the mix. That gives teachers only one year to get students up to speed not only with the language, but with all aspects of the curriculum.
While state subsidies are greater in districts hobbled with poor and disabled students, they do not compensate districts for non-English speaking children. That puts an extra financial burden on districts like Columbus where the demand for ESL teachers is growing, but the money is short to hire them.
In addition, the numbers of ESL students are spilling over to suburban districts around Columbus such as Westerville, Grove City and Southwestern City Schools. The problem is spreading. But nearly two decades after Ohio's school funding decision, there's no clear solution in sight.
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