MEMORANDUM

RECORD NUMBER OF ELL STUDENTS ATTAINS ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools’ English Language Learners program exited a record number of ELL
students during the 2004-2005 school year, with 1,008 students reclassified to fully English-proficient.

This was a 2% increase from 2003-2004, when 964 students were reclassified, and demonstrates
continued student success in the program from 2002-2003, when 798 students were reclassified.

 “ To say that we are pleased with the number of students who are now fully proficient in English is an
understatement,” said Susan Howell, ELL program assistant. “Each one of the 1,008 is a student who now
has the English language as a tool for success and a better life.” 

Davidson County is home to a large immigrant population. Metro Schools serves just over 25% of
Tennessee’s English Language Learners population. This past year, the school system’s ELL program
served 4,996 students from 84 countries, representing 77 language groups. Students can enter and
exit the ELL program at any point during the year, meaning that enrollment figures can fluctuate from
month to month.

Active ELL students in grades K-4 are taught in self-contained classrooms by a certified ELL
teacher who is trained to teach students regardless of their native language. In grades 5-12, ELL
students spend one or two periods of their day receiving ELL instruction, with the amount of time
each student receives for instruction based on his or her ability to speak, read and write in English.
MNPS also offers sheltered content classes in grades 5-12. These classes are for students with
limited English skills who are taught a variety of subjects using ELL strategies and materials that
are in keeping with the student’s level of proficiency. These sheltered classes have helped students
with limited English skills meet the MNPS academic standards for their grade. An example of this
program’s success is a sheltered biology class at McGavock High School whose students had a
100% Gateway pass rate this past year. At the end of each school year, all active ELL students
are tested in oral, written and reading skills. Those who pass the test are exited from
the program.

DR. SANDY JOHNSON, CHIEF INSTRUCTIONAL OFFICER

Pre-K Information

During the 2004-05 school year, there were forty-nine Pre-K classrooms in twenty-three school sites.
The State allocated $65,000 for eight Pre-K classrooms. Local funds, Title I, and Special Education
funded the remaining Pre-K classrooms:

• State                             8 classrooms
• Local                            19 classrooms
• Title I                             6 classrooms
• Blended (Sp. Ed.)            16 classrooms

                              Total 49 classrooms 

The average cost for a regular Pre-K classroom is approximately $100,000.

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Attachment
       Pre-Kindergarten Program Sites 2004-2005