Description:

This report describes the impact of the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Student Service Learning (SSL) Club on academic and non-academic outcomes for students receiving ESOL services during 2012– 2013 in six high schools in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Four high schools partnered with Montgomery College—Takoma Park/Silver Spring (MC– TP/SS): Montgomery Blair, Springbrook, John F. Kennedy, and Northwood; one high school partnered with the City of Gaithersburg (Gaithersburg); and another partnered with Rotary International (Watkins Mill). The ESOL SSL Club convened regularly outside the students' instructional day. As part of the regular club meetings, participating students were led by adult facilitators to identify needs in the community and address them through service-learning opportunities.

Recommendations:

Continue to use the ESOL SSL Club to provide meaningful learning opportunities through which students with limited English skills can apply their skills and knowledge to real-world issues and problems and earn required SSL hours.

Continue to support a career and college bound culture for newcomers to the country by highlighting the most critical aspects of being career and college ready—

• making strong course selections connected to college and career aspirations,
• developing a strong high school transcript,
• taking timely college preparation tests (e.g., SAT/ACT),
• completing SSL requirements,
• visiting and selecting colleges,
• applying for admissions, financial aid, and
• seeking scholarships.

Support students with resources to navigate applications for college admission, financial aid, and scholarships.

Increase activities that enhance the development of English language skills and participation in school and community activities.

Share best practices for creating and sustaining MCPS/community partnerships that support ESOL SSL Clubs among the high schools.

File Name: ESOL SSL Report Feb 4 for the Web.pdf (1.6MB PDF)