ESL/Bilingual

Mineral Wells Independent School District is committed to addressing the needs of the students whose primary language is not English. Students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade who report a language other than English on their home language survey are screened for the Bilingual/ESL program using the Idea Proficiency Test. At Lamar Elementary, students who qualify as needing additional language support are placed in a bilingual program through first grade. The campus has bilingual certified teachers to support students in learning to read and write in their first language. From second grade to sixth grade, the district is seeking to employ additional bilingual teachers to support the English Language Learners. At this time, the students receive instruction from an ESL certified teacher. The goal of the English as a Second Language Program is to assist students in developing their English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  On the junior high and high school campuses, the teachers are certified in their content area and are trained in sheltered instruction techniques. Sheltered classes provide students with linguistic accommodations and support for the student to be successful in learning the content.