English Language Learners

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires each district to establish procedures to identify students who may be English Language Learners (ELL) and assess their level of English proficiency upon their enrollment in the district. The parent or guardian of any student enrolled in the school district may request that the school district assess the child's level of English proficiency. The school district shall notify the parent or guardian and place in the student's school record  the school district's determination as to whether the student is an English learner; and, the student's program placement. Regulations further require each district to establish criteria to identify students who may no longer be English Language Learners.

Upon enrollment of each student in the district, each family is required to complete the Home Language Survey to inform the district of the language(s) spoken in the student’s home.  If the survey indicates a language other than English is spoken by the student and/or family, the district is required to assess the student’s English proficiency.  

Once a student is identified as an ELL, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires each school district to annually measure the student’s proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking English, as well as the progress he/she is making in learning English. The district administers the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State (ACCESS) for ELLs test annually. 

The Hadley Public School district strives to make all pertinent information for families of ELL students available in their home language whenever possible.  When requested or listed on Home Language Surveys, interpreters are made available for parents to actively participate in meetings and other school related events as needed. Any questions or concerns regarding ELL or Translation services should be forwarded to the Superintendent at (413) 586-0822 or by email.

For more information about English Language Education and Translation Services, please click the links below.