Policy IHAH: Elementary World Language

THE AMHERST SCHOOL COMMITTEE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY ON FEBRUARY 26, 2013 TO SUSPEND POLICY IHAH.

A kindergarten through sixth grade Spanish language program will be apart of the Amherst Elementary School curriculum. This policy is inline with the Amherst Elementary School District goals of academic achievement, social justice, and the preparation and encouragement of every student to become a participating, responsible citizen within a global society. Spanish is currently by far the most often non-English language spoken in the homes of Amherst Elementary School children, and therefore Spanish is the language that provides the best opportunity to meet these goals.
 
The program will adhere to principles consistent with the Massachusetts Frameworks and National Standards and will be integrated into the elementary classroom curriculum. Instruction will be differentiated in order to engage and meet the needs of all native and non-native Spanish speakers.

Program objectives:

  1. To develop a level of oral proficiency in Spanish that enables children to enter middle school language study at an advanced level;
  2. To gain an understanding of the diverse cultures and traditions in Spanish speaking countries;
  3. To draw on the resources and increase the school participation and involvement of Spanish speaking families; and
  4. Additional measurable objectives as recommended by the administration.
     

LEGAL REF:

MGL  71:1 ,   71:13603 CMR 14:00, 26:05
20 U.S.C. 3001 et seq. (language instruction for limited English proficient and immigrant students contained in No Child Left Behind Act of 2001);
42 U.S.C. 2000d (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964)
 

Amherst Voted to Approve: 06/14/10
Pelham Voted to Approve:
Effective Date: 06/14/10