INCREASING SOCIAL INTEGRATION for ELLS

Abstract

This capstone project aims to support teachers, school counselors and administrative staff who work with English Language Learners (ELLs), also known as English Learners (ELs). At Mount Pleasant Central School District, ELLs are a growing population that are impacted by a lack of social integration, which can result in segregation, student isolation or student withdrawal. To increase social integration among non-ELL and ELL students, multiple dimensions of the school climate have been considered to afford social equity to high school ELL students within the Mount Pleasant Central School District. Solutions to the problem at Westlake High School include implementations of a directory of bilingual and foreign language-speaking staff members, modifications to school signage, ELL lesson plan templates, monthly in-house faculty professional development, an annual Welcome Night for ELL students and families, and formation of an Ambassador Program. Several conclusions are relevant to minimizing and eradicating the social gap that presently exists between ELL and non-ELL students, including major themes of ELL relationships, the school professional and instructional community, and ELL family outreach programs. Recommendations include incorporating additional future events for ELL students and their families and a community liaison that corresponds with the ELL community and the school to close the gap of misinformation. Furthermore, programs recently established, such as the Welcome Night and the Westlake Wildcats Ambassador Program, should be reviewed and modified to assist with any necessary changes for greater improvement.