International Student English Language Learner or French Language Learner Assessment Policy for Independent Schools

Date came into force or revised

August 8, 2021

Status

Current

Policy statement

All Group 4 independent schools that offer an educational program to international students who are English Language Learners (ELL), in schools where English is the primary language of instruction, or French Language Learners (FLL), in schools where French is the primary language of instruction, are required to have an ELL or an FLL Assessment Policy to support these students.

Rationale or purpose of policy

This policy provides requirements, expectations, and guidance to independent schools for the development of an ELL or an FLL assessment policy for international students.

The policy’s purpose is to ensure that schools have thoroughly assessed international students’ English or French language abilities (depending on the school’s language of instruction) and that the school uses the assessment’s results to provide the international student with an appropriate level of learning supports.

The requirement for independent schools to have an International Student ELL or FLL Assessment Policy is not intended to create a barrier for international student enrolment in BC independent schools or to establish standardized minimum enrolment requirements.

Authority

A requirement of the Inspector of Independent Schools under section 4 of the Independent School Act.

Policy in full

Procedures related to policy

• International student English Language Learners are those international students enrolled in independent schools with English as the primary language of instruction whose primary language is other than English.
• International student French Language Learners are those international students enrolled in independent schools with French as the primary language of instruction whose primary language is other than French.
• International ELL and FLL students may require additional services to develop their individual potential within BC's school system and meet the learning outcomes in the provincial curriculum.
• Each Group 4 independent school that enrolls international students is required to have an International Student ELL or FLL Assessment Policy to ensure that international students are appropriately assessed to support their learning.
• Schools should refer to English Language Learning (ELL) Standards when developing the school’s ELL Assessment Policy.
• In addition to school-developed procedures, the school’s ELL or FLL Assessment Policy should include the following elements:
  • Initial Assessment,
  • Ongoing Assessment
  • Supports for ELL or FLL International Students, and
  • Maintenance of ongoing records in relation to summative language proficiency assessments.
• An initial assessment, to be completed as part of the student’s application process for entry into the Group 4 school or within the first four weeks of the student’s enrolment at the school, must be conducted in order to inform what level or types of supports the student should receive.
  • Schools enrolling international students into elementary or middle school grades may exclusively use school-developed ELL or FLL assessments.
  • Schools enrolling international students into secondary school grades (typically grades 8-12) are required to use a reputable, standardized, internationally-recognized ELL or FLL Assessment.
• School policies should specify that ongoing assessments, consistent with the English Language Learning (ELL) Standards, will be undertaken to analyze language proficiency development on a regular basis.
• The presence of a school’s International Student ELL or FLL Assessment policy will be confirmed as part of the Independent School External Evaluation and Monitoring Inspection process.