DeKalb Co Schools - English Learners Master Plan - Board Presentation-9-8-25 (1) - September 8, 2025 - DCSD Board Meeting Archive

DeKalb County School District
English Learners Master Plan
June 2025

Location:
1701 MOUNTAIN INDUSTRIAL BLVD.
STONE MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA 30083 1
2
DCSD
Strategic
Plan
Goal
Areas

3
Six
Essential
Systems

4
ALIGNMENT WITH GADOE ESOL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The EL Master Plan aligns
with the Georgia
Department of Education’s
LEAs’ 10 Legal Obligations
for ESOL Programs and
related services

5
DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT: ENGLISH LEARNERS MASTER PLAN

In 2024-25, DCSD contracted with RMC
Research Corporation to:
• Conduct an English learners program
evaluation and
• Use findings to collaboratively
develop a comprehensive English
Learners Master Plan.

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DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT: ENGLISH LEARNERS MASTER PLAN

The EL Master Plan was developed to help DCSD marshal its resources and
committed staff to fulfill its newly crafted mission and vision statements.

VISION – DCSD EL Department:
English learners (ELs) in DeKalb County School District will be
equipped and empowered with the knowledge and
communication skills necessary to thrive and positively impact
local and global societies.

MISSION – DCSD EL Department:
To support and enhance the English language development,
academic success, and social-emotional growth of English
learners, while ensuring access to all educational opportunities
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DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT: ENGLISH LEARNERS MASTER PLAN

The EL Master Plan also captures the DCSD English Learners Department guiding
principles.
1. All stakeholders are engaged through effective and accessible communication.
2. Families, English learners (ELs), and educators share the collective responsibility for
student success.
3. Data analysis is used to continuously monitor, impact, and drive instructional and
programmatic decision-making.
4. High-quality research-based instruction and assessment implemented to positively
impact ELs.
5. Continuous development of teachers, leaders, and support staff is prioritized and
includes systems for monitoring and accountability.
6. Equity drives our work by addressing opportunity gaps and systemic barriers that
hinder EL student success.
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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM GOALS
In collaboration with a committee of both internal and external stakeholders, the DCSD
English Learners Department identified five goals outlined in the EL Master Plan.

Goal 1 Facilitate comprehensive implementation of high-quality curriculum and supplemental materials
aligned with GA Standards that support the academic success of all English learners (ELs).

Goal 2 Provide tailored, high-quality professional learning to meet the needs of teachers,
administrators, counselors, and clerical staff for the benefit of all ELs.

Goal 3 Develop and implement effective and timely two-way communication processes for all school
and district staff, families, and other stakeholders for the benefit of all ELs.

Goal 4 Develop and implement quality organization systems and collaborative processes that support
all ELs.
Goal 5 Increase meaningful collaboration and support active engagement with Primary Home
Language Other than English (PHLOTE) families for student success.
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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM
GOAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN SNAPSHOT – SY25 TO SY 28
Each goal has specific Each high-leverage
Each action step
high-leverage strategies strategy addresses
supports the application
and tangible action specific needs of all
of a high-leverage
steps for their DCSD English
strategy.
fulfillment. learners.
(SY 25 – SY 28)
(SY 25 – SY 28) (SY 25 – SY 28)

Example of expected
Example of expected
Long-term Impact:
Implementation Outcome:
Increases in EL exit rates
Increased teacher, administrator, counselor, through clear exits and
and clerical staff capacity for supporting ELs reclassification
(SY 26 and beyond) (SY 26 and beyond) 10
DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM GOALS
Goal 1 Facilitate comprehensive implementation of high-quality curriculum and
supplemental materials aligned with GA Standards that support the academic
success of all English learners (ELs).
High-Leverage Strategy 1.1
Develop additional high-quality English language development curriculum that is appropriate for targeted subgroups of ELs
(including SLIFE, LTELs, Newcomers, etc.).

High-Leverage Strategy 1.2
Provide initial and ongoing training and support the effective use of the curriculum and resources to support ELs, preparing
staff to deliver purposefully scaffolded instruction informed by student needs, and targeted instruction to high expectations
aligned with different ESOL delivery models.

High-Leverage Strategy 1.3
Build capacity for staff to deliver instruction that is purposefully scaffolded,
informed by student needs and targeted to high expectations.

High-Leverage Strategy 1.4
Collaborate with content area departments to ensure targeted DCSD
curricula are aligned to GSE and include instructional materials that support
intellectual engagement and language development of all ELs.
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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM
ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY ALIGNMENT
GOAL 1 - High-Leverage Strategy Access & Opportunity
Alignment *
1.1 Develop additional high-quality English language development curriculum that is
appropriate for targeted subgroups of ELs (including SLIFE, LTELs, Newcomers, etc.)
1 2
1.2 Provide initial and ongoing training and support the effective use of the curriculum and
resources to support ELs, preparing staff to deliver purposefully scaffolded instruction
1 2
informed by student needs, and targeted instruction to high expectations aligned with
different ESOL delivery models.
1.3 Build capacity for staff to deliver instruction that is purposefully scaffolded, informed by
student needs and targeted to high-expectations
1 2
1.4 Collaborate with content area departments to ensure targeted DCSD curricula are
aligned to GSE and include instructional materials that support intellectual engagement and
1 2
language development of all ELs

*Access & Opportunity Priority Recommendations:
1. Set and communicate a clear vision for access and opportunity across DCSD.
2. Develop and implement a districtwide access and opportunity accountability framework.
3. Support school-based access and opportunity integration through an Access and Opportunity Liaison (AOL) program.
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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM GOALS

Goal 1 Facilitate comprehensive implementation of high-quality curriculum and
supplemental materials aligned with GA Standards that support the academic
success of all English learners (ELs).

Implementation Outcomes:
• More standards-aligned classrooms that integrate content and English language development
and engage ELs.
• More teachers prepared to support ELs throughout the day using the curriculum and materials.
• More materials and resources that are effective in supporting ELs.

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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM GOALS

Goal 2 Provide tailored, high-quality professional learning to meet the needs of
teachers, administrators, counselors, and clerical staff for the benefit of all ELs.

High-Leverage Strategy 2.1
Design and develop training for teachers, administrators,
counselors, and clerical staff on research-based practices
to support ELs’ language development and academic
achievement.

High-Leverage Strategy 2.2
Establish a system for implementing and monitor
professional learning for teachers, administrators,
counselors, and clerical staff supporting ELs.

High-Leverage Strategy 2.3
Build the capacity of teachers and administrators serving
ELs on instructional frameworks and delivery models.

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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM
ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY ALIGNMENT

GOAL 2 - High-Leverage Strategy Access & Opportunity
Alignment *
2.1 Design and develop training for teachers, administrators, counselors, and clerical staff
on research-based practices to support ELs’ language development and academic
1 2
achievement.
2.2 Establish a system for implementing and monitor professional learning for teachers,
administrators, counselors, and clerical staff supporting ELs.
1 2
2.3 Build the capacity of teachers and administrators serving ELs on instructional
frameworks and delivery models.
1 2

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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM GOALS

Goal 2 Provide tailored, high-quality professional learning to meet the needs of
teachers, administrators, counselors, and clerical staff for the benefit of ELs.

Implementation Outcomes:
• More teachers, administrators, counselors, and clerical staff prepared to provide support to ELs.
• More teachers implementing research-based instructional strategies for supporting ELs.
• Increased teacher, administrator, counselor, and clerical staff capacity for supporting ELs.

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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM GOALS

Goal 3 Develop and implement effective and timely two-way communication processes
for all school and district staff, families, and other stakeholders for the benefit of
all ELs.
High-Leverage Strategy 3.1
Provide adequate and consistent training for school leadership regarding
communication protocols.
High-Leverage Strategy 3.2
Establish a standard operating procedure (SOP) for two-way
communication.

High-Leverage Strategy 3.3
Monitor the current process in place to support the communication
protocol.

High-Leverage Strategy 3.4
Recruit more interpreters to support schools through high-quality
translation and interpretation services for all family meetings and
district-wide events. 17
DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM
ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY ALIGNMENT
GOAL 3 - High-Leverage Strategy Access & Opportunity
Alignment *
3.1 Provide adequate and consistent training for school leadership regarding communication
protocols
1 2 3
3.2 Establish an SOP for two-way communication.
1 2 3
3.3 Monitor the current process in place to support the communication protocol
1 2 3
3.4 Recruit more interpreters to support schools through high-quality translation and
interpretation services for all district-wide events, family meetings, etc.
1 2 3

Goal 3 Develop and implement effective and timely two-way communication processes
for all school and district staff, families, and other stakeholders for the benefit of
ELs.

Implementation Outcomes:
• More effective communication with families, resulting in increased support and achievement of
students.
• More parents of ELs are aware of school and district happenings, activities and initiatives.
• Increased family participation in parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, and school events.
• Semester audits conducted by the district to evaluate school adherence to communication
protocols.
• Improved family participation and engagement in school activities.

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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM GOALS

Goal 4 Develop and implement quality organizational systems and collaborative
processes that support all ELs.

High-Leverage Strategy 4.1
Identify a team of district and school-level
personnel to create and implement organizational systems
and remove barriers that impact ELs.

High-Leverage Strategy 4.2
Prioritize the changes that need to be made and revising
the systems and processes to serve ELs better.

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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM
ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY ALIGNMENT

GOAL 4 - High-Leverage Strategy Access & Opportunity
Alignment *
4.1 Identify a team of district and school-level personnel to create and implement
organizational systems and remove barriers that impact ELs.
2 3

4.2 Prioritize the changes that need to be made and revising the systems and processes to
serve ELs better.
2 3

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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM GOALS

Goal 4 Develop and implement quality organizational systems and collaborative
processes that support all ELs.

Implementation Outcomes:
• Cross-functional planning structures at the district and school levels to support ELs’ needs.
• Asset-oriented district-wide system where all educators share responsibilities for supporting and
sustaining ELs’ academic and linguistic development.

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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM GOALS

Goal 5 Increase meaningful collaboration and support active engagement with Primary
Home Language Other than English (PHLOTE) families for student success.

High-Leverage Strategy 5.1
Develop ambassador programs at all local schools.

High-Leverage Strategy 5.2
Invite parents of ELs to school-based organizations and
offer language and other support for shared decision
making.

High-Leverage Strategy 5.3
Establish satellite locations within the community for
school organizations/meetings.

High-Leverage Strategy 5.4
Create/offer family sessions throughout the year providing
guidance and support navigating the educational system.
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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM
ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY ALIGNMENT
GOAL 5 - High-Leverage Strategy Access & Opportunity
Alignment *
5.1 Develop ambassador programs at all local schools.
1 2 3
5.2 Invite parents of ELs to school-based organizations and offer language and other support
for shared decision making.
1 2 3
5.3 Establish satellite locations within the community for school organizations/meetings.
1 2 3
5.4 Create/offer family sessions throughout the year providing guidance and support
navigating the educational system.
1 2 3

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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNERS DEPARTMENT PROGRAM GOALS

Goal 5 Increase meaningful collaboration and support active engagement with Primary
Home Language Other than English (PHLOTE) families for student success.

Implementation Outcomes:
• More families engaged in events, meetings, and shared decision-making.
• More families access resources and school-based systems.
• More two-way communication between families and school to access families’ funds of
knowledge.

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RMC PROGRAM EVALUATION RECOMMENDATIONS
The RMC Research Team identified four specific recommendations for improving
DCSD’s ESOL program services and practices. These four recommendations are
described in detail in the EL Master Plan. These recommendations are aligned
with the EL Department’s five goals (as shown in the EL Master Plan).

1. Update and refine the DCSD ESOL Handbook.
2. Develop and disseminate a communication plan for both internal and
external stakeholders.
3. Review resource allocation- including additional EL. Dept. infrastructure.
4. Improve meaningful access to the curriculum.

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NEXT STEPS
During the implementation phase of the DCSD EL Master Plan, the English Learners
Department will execute RMC’s recommendations with appropriate resources, partners
and staffing.

The implementation status of all five goals of the DCSD EL Master Plan will be monitored
with consistency. Broad-based communication of the plan with internal and external
stakeholders will be strategically maintained.

Action Teams will be developed to implement each EL Master Plan Goal (5). Identified
measurements of success will be utilized to gauge the effectiveness of the
implementation outcomes and long-term impacts.

MIRACLES Priorities will be developed in association with EL Master
Plan implementation. Each action step has a timeline for its
implementation through 2027-28.
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DCSD ENGLISH LEARNER ENROLLMENT TRENDS

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Agenda Item