Agenda Item
b. Update on English Learners Master Plan Implementation ~ Updated 5.11.2026
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
English Learner's Master Plan
Update
DeKalb County Board of Education Meeting
May 11, 2026
Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services
Dr. Evelyn Hall, Executive Director of English Learners Department
DeKalb County School District
English Learners Master Plan
During the 24-25 SY, the DCSD
contracted with the RMC Research
Corporation to conduct an ESOL
Program Evaluation and to use the
fundings to collaboratively develop a
comprehensive Master Plan.
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ESOL Program Evaluation Alignment
The English Learners (EL) Master Plan aligns with both DCSD's Strategic Plan Goal Areas and the Georgia Department of Education's
(DOE) 10 Legal Obligations for English as a Second Language (ESOL) Programs.
DCSD Strategic Plan Goal Areas Georgia DOE – LEAs' 10 Legal Obligations for ESOL Programs
ALIGNS
WITH
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Who We Serve
Primary Home Language Other Than English (PHLOTE) Student Enrollment
PHLOTE Families' Countries of
Origin = 163
PHLOTE Student Languages = 172 DCSD EL Student Population at a Glance
26,853 Primary Home Language
29.9% of Other Than English (PHLOTEs)
enrollment
16,645 Active English Learners
18.5% of
enrollment
2,751 Refugee Students
3.1% of enrollment
14,831 Born Outside the USA
16.5% of
enrollment
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ESOL Program Evaluation Process
The EL Master Plan marks the first comprehensive program evaluation for DCSD's EL Department.
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
Comprehensive Master Plan Implementation
Evaluation Development & Monitoring
Surveys, focus groups, RMC researchers collaborated Beginning SY25-26 through
classroom observations, with DCSD stakeholders to 2027-28, the EL Department
student data analysis develop the EL Master Plan will implement the Master
Plan action steps
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DCSD English Learners Department Program Goals
In collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, the DCSD EL Department identified five goals that are
outlined in the EL Master Plan
Goal 1
Facilitate comprehensive implementation of high-quality curriculum and supplemental materials
Teaching & Learning 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,
Professional
Learning
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
Communication 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
Organizational
Systems
ELs.
Goal 5 Increase meaningful collaboration and support active engagement with PHLOTE families for
Family
Engagement
student success.
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PHASE 3-Current Implementation
Implementation & Monitoring
The DCSD EL Department will execute RMC's recommendations with appropriate resources, partners, and
staffing.
Implementation status of all five goals will be monitored consistently. Broad-based communication will be
strategically maintained.
EL Action Teams will implement each EL Master Plan Goal using identified measurements of success.
Each action step has a timeline for its implementation through 2027-28.
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EL Master Plan – SY2025-2026 Targets Deadline: June 30, 2026
TARGETS: ALL (100%) Action Steps will be initiated by June 30, 2026. Each EL Action Team will produce TWO deliverables.
GOAL 1 Improve access to Curriculum & Instruction 93%
GOAL 2 Enhance Professional Learning 100%
GOAL 3 Increase Two-Way Communication 88%
GOAL 4 Develop Organization Systems 100%
GOAL 5 Enhance Family Engagement 100%
TOTAL: 96% of Action Steps Initiated
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EL Master Plan – SY2025-2026 Targets Deadline: June 30, 2026
GOAL DELIVERABLES
• Designed a survey to identify curriculum needs
1 • Assembled a team to curate resources supporting mandated curriculum to enhance EL subgroup instruction
• Created a cross-departmental needs assessment tool for identifying instructional strengths
2 • Developed an implementation monitoring process for PD offered by the EL Department
• Created an ESOL News You Can Use Newsletter
3 • Designed a Presentation for leaders on communication protocols
• Developed a Communication Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for schools
• Designed a districtwide initiative on ESOL delivery models for school leaders
4 • Developed EL-specific guidance and training implementation of student accommodations
• Created a Sogolytics survey & Zoom registration reports for the newly implemented International Parent
5 Engagement Series with webinars
• International Parent Engagement Series satisfaction survey and artifacts
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Implementation
&
Monitoring and Data Highlights
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DCSD EL Exit Data
+43.9%
Increase in Students
Exiting the ESOL program
2023 ACCESS → 2025 ACCESS
1,192 → 1,272 → 1,830
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DCSD EL Exit Rate Data
English Learner (EL) Exit Rates
DCSD State
14 -5.4 -6.9 -3.0 -3.3 -1.6
12 11.0
10.5
9.9 10.0
10 9.4
7.7
8 6.9 6.7
6
4 3.6
2.3
2
0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
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Access Band to Band Movement
ACCESS Band Movement: 2023-2024 vs. 2024-2025 | Comparison of student language growth across ACCESS testing years
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Interpretation & Translation Services Update
Total Services Provided
20,568
2023-24 SY
30,869
2024-25 SY
36,547
2025-26 SY*
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Graduation Rate
Four-Year Graduation Rates
English Language Learners
Graduation Rate Trend DCSD State
100
↑ 80
-11.1
66.0
-9.8
70.5
-9.4
72.7
60.7 63.3
54.9% → 60.7% → 63.3% 60 54.9
SY2023 · SY2024 · SY2025
40
20
0
2023 2024 2025
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Cross-Divisional Highlights
GOAL EL ACTION TEAM ACTIVITIES
Collaborated with Teaching & Learning to integrate EL practices in DCSD's lesson plan template,
Goal 1
new ELA curriculum, and literacy framework.
Planned and conducted cross-disciplinary (Math & ESOL) professional learning opportunities
Goal 2 with multiple Divisions including Teaching and Learning, Wrap Around Services and Schools and
Leadership
Conducted interpreter recruitment interviews; developed ESOL Communication protocol and
Goal 3
training.
Goal 4 Created procedures, practices, and professional learning for administrators on ESOL scheduling.
Conducted EL Parent University sessions; provided guidance for school-based EL guardian
Goal 5
engagement activities.
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Impact forecasting - Sy 2026-2027 NEXT STEPS
GOAL
Prioritize Goal 3 communication
Strengthen the Implementation
Goal 1 systems, especially interpreter Expand professional learning
and Monitoring for all 5 goals
retention, recruitment of highly tied to the EL Master Plan to
through the EL Action Teams'
qualified interpreters, and clear various roles (school leaders,
deliverables and success
communication protocols for counselors, LTSE, etc.).
measures.
Goal 2 schools and families.
Continue curriculum
Coordinate one districtwide
alignment collaboration under
PHLOTE family engagement
Goal 1 by curating resources,
event per semester and provide
surveying
Goal 4 curriculum needs, and guidance for school-based
supporting instruction aligned
engagement supports.
to Georgia standards.
Goal 5
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On the Road with the EL Master Plan
DCSD EL Master Plan Community Engagement
Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Advisory
Board
Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) ESOL
Munch & Learn
Ethiopian Community Center English Learners
Family Event
Latin American Association English Learner Family
Event
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