There are more and more students who are learning English in Ohio's schools. The number of these students has doubled to around 60,000 in the past 10 years. Almost 40% of these students speak Spanish at home, but there are also many other languages spoken, like Nepali, Oromo, Arabic, Chinese, Fulani, Amharic, Akan, Twi, Tigrinya, Wolof, Ga, and French. 

It is required by Ohio law that schools track how well English learner students are doing. Schools have to find out who the English learners are, test how well they know English every year, provide accommodation for standardized testing, and set goals to help make sure the students keep improving. Once an EL student tests with a proficient score, they exit from our EL program, and we monitor them for the next four years — ready to help them if need be.

In Pickerington Schools, besides English, the most common language spoken is Nepali, used by about one-third of our EL students. After Nepali, the next most spoken language is Spanish. Our school community boasts over 50 languages from nearly 70 different countries, showcasing the rich diversity both within our schools and our city. We take immense pride in celebrating this multicultural tapestry that enriches our learning environment.

For more information on Ohio's diversity, visit Ohio Department of Education.

School districts have the freedom to choose the educational method that best meets the needs of their English learner students and helps them learn English quickly, so they can succeed in school. Here, we will provide a brief explanation of federal law outlining districts’ responsibilities for choosing programs, as well as an overview of different approaches used in Ohio.

Parent/Guardian Rights Under Federal Law

• Your child's school must provide you with information in a language you can understand.
• Your child's school must provide language assistance if you ask for it.
• Your child's school may not ask your child, other students, or untrained school staff to translate or interpret for you.

Please see "Information for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Parents and Guardians and for Schools and School Districts that Communicate with Them" for more information. 

Approaches to English Learner Instruction

• Small Group Instruction for English Learning (EL)

This method involves directly teaching limited English proficient students how to use the English language. Special curriculums are used, which typically do not use the students' native language, and instruction usually occurs during specific school periods. For the rest of the school day, students may attend mainstream classes. EL classes may concentrate on formal English grammar and promoting natural communication activities, such as free conversations, games, and discussions on familiar topics. Reading and writing are also practiced, as well as oral communication skills in English.

• In-class Support (Inclusion & Co-teaching)

With this approach, English learner students learn alongside their English-speaking classmates in the same classroom. However, an EL or bilingual education specialist is present in the classroom to help support the English learner students. For instance, the specialist may provide guidance to English learner students as they work on a group project or individual assignment.