Finley After-School ELL
Program Analyzed
The after-school educational program for English language learners at J. Taylor Finley Middle School enrolled nine seventh and five eighth graders last year, including eight special education students. A total of 17 students participated in the program a year earlier in 2010/11.
"The Finley after-school program was designed to offer instruction and support to ELL's who have been in ESL for six or more years," said Carmen Kasper, district director of foreign language, ESL and bilingual programs.
Participants in the program work on test preparation so they are ready to take and pass the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test and thereby exit the ESL program. "They are shown testimonials from previous students who have gone through the program and passed the test," Ms. Kasper said.