English Learner Prg Teacher (.5)

English Learner Program Teachers (ELPTs)

The Office of Language and Cultural Education (OLCE) annually asks principals to nominate an English Learner
Program Teacher (ELPT). The ELPT should be a teacher leader who supports school leadership in the
administration of the EL program, leads professional development of teachers regarding English Language
Development (ELD) and instruction for English Learners (ELs), and engages parents of ELs to participate in the
education of their children. Here is the link to the ELPT nomination form available on the OLCE KC page.
District-managed schools with 20 or more ELs receive supplemental positions (0.5-2.0 FTE, depending on the
EL student population). The ELPT must be staffed in that position. At least 50% of the ELPT position has to be
dedicated to ELPT coordination duties exclusive of teaching duties (in schools with 250+ ELs, 100% of the ELPT
position has to be dedicated to ELPT coordination).
The ELPT is not the sole person responsible for providing English Learner services for English Learners who are
in classes without a certified Bilingual and/or English as a Second Language teacher, except in schools with 19
or fewer English Learners. Teachers in schools with 1-19 English Learners have the option to accept or reject the
principal’s assignment of the ELPT role compensated with the ELPT stipend. If no one accepts the role then the
Principal shall assign it to a qualified administrator and when not possible, to a qualified teacher.
ELPTs participate in quarterly training from OLCE, which include professional development sessions/tools
around high-quality instruction for English learners. ELPTs provide these professional development
opportunities during the school day to preK-12 grade teachers who provide instruction to ELs at their school.

English Learner Program Teacher Roles and Responsibilities

QUALIFICATIONS
● Share CPS and OLCE’s Vision and Mission
● Hold a Bilingual and/or ESL Endorsement*
● Knowledge of standards (e.g., WIDA ELD, CCSS, etc.)
● Understanding of district policies and procedures for ELs
● Strong organizational and communication skills
● Promote high-quality instruction for all ELs
● Advocate equity and respect for all EL cultures and languages represented in the school
PROGRAM COORDINATION
● Coordinate administration of mandated State-prescribed Screener (e.g., WIDA Screener, WIDA Screener
for Kindergarten, Pre-IPT) within 30 days of enrollment at the start of the school year and 14 days of
enrollment thereafter
● Enter State-prescribed Screener results in Aspen
● Review EL rosters and ACCESS reports to ensure ELs are appropriately placed/transitioned

● Coordinate distribution of CPS Parent Notification Letters generated from Aspen along with translated
versions on the Employee Intranet
● Collaborate with special education staff to ensure ELs with IEPs are serviced appropriately and service
delivery model numbers are entered accurately in SSM
● Update EL profiles in Aspen in a timely manner
● Coordinate administration of ACCESS testing within mandated time frame and submit required reports
to Student Assessment (e.g., Not Tested Reasons)
● Maintain annual documentation of bilingual/ESL staff participation of two State-mandated EL PD
sessions
● Coordinate and monitor completion of required documentation for EL Program Reviews
● Assist school administration in submission of all required OLCE forms in a timely manner (e.g. EL
summer program enrollment, etc.)
● Attend required ELPT trainings and disseminate information to administrators, teachers of ELs, and
general program staff
● Monitor progress for Transition (T1-T4) students, students with a parent refusals, and current ELs to
ensure additional supports and interventions can be provided if needed
● Collaborate with testing coordinator regarding District assessments in which ELs participate,
particularly around using appropriate EL testing accommodations

INSTRUCTIONAL
● Work with administration to support all teachers of ELs. Supports may include but are not
limited to:
o participate on the school ILT representing ELs
o collaborate with classroom teachers, TCT, core departments, etc., regarding
curriculum/instructional supports and differentiation
o assist with developing and creating standard-based (CCSS & WIDA) unit/lesson plans
o review and collaborate in the selection of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
interventions for ELs
o support teachers with differentiating EL instruction and assessments
o collaborate with bilingual/ESL teachers in aligning instruction with CCSS and WIDA ELD
o share current research and best practices around EL instruction with faculty

ADVISORY
● Provide EL placement recommendations to the principal
● Support family engagement and parent engagement efforts at the school to be fully inclusive of
parents/guardians of ELs. The ELPT can support the administration with vetting interpretation vendors
or updating the posted list of interpreters representing the home languages in the school, but the ELPT
is not required to provide interpretation or translation services themselves.
● Facilitate establishment and operation of Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC)
o ensure required EL Program of information is presented to parents at initial BAC meeting
o hold BAC position elections and submit to OLCE
o ensure timely submission of documents (See BAC Advisory Handbook for details)
o ensure that BAC officers approve a spending plan for BAC funds
o ensure timely reimbursements and expense submissions for BAC funds
● Provide guidance to teachers and principals regarding program implementation
● Collaborate with school administration in all areas related to ELs

*Schools without an EL-endorsed teacher will contact their OLCE network specialist for assistance. * THESE SCHOOLS MUST SUBMIT