HOWELL – The New Jersey Department of Education has recognized the Howell K-8 School District for its bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
In a press release, state education officials announced that six school districts will “serve as models of best practices” in bilingual and ESL programs.
Four other districts were recognized for their world language programs.
It is the second time that Howell’s language programs have been recognized by the department.
Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden told Greater Media Newspapers she was pleased by the recognition.
“It’s a very big honor,” Golden said. “I am very proud of our teachers and administrators. [The state] was very impressed with the way not only the ESL teachers, but our regular education teachers, interact with our students.”
In Howell, all elementary school and all middle school ESL students are taught at the Ardena School and at Howell Middle School North, respectively, as opposed to instructing a small number of ESL pupils at many schools.
According to the press release, schools’ programs were selected based on criteria created by the New Jersey Supervisors of World Languages and the Statewide Advisory Committee for Bilingual and ESL Education, with assistance from the Department of Education.
Programs were selected based on their success in developing students’ second language skills. The criteria included instructional skills, use of standards-based curriculum, and support of the greater school community.
As a result of its selection, the Howell school district will be used as a resource district for other school districts, with educators having the opportunity to visit and observe Howell’s language programs.
Administrators and teachers from the visiting districts will be able to speak with the resource district’s educators.
Plaques were presented to representatives of the selected districts at a ceremony held in the Rutgers Student Center, New Brunswick.
The Department of Education began recognizing district language programs in 2004.