Albertville Schools plead with state legislators for help for English Learner students
ALBERTVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Kindergarten teacher Claudia Onofre moved to Albertville with her family from Mexico at the age of six.
Onofre says that when she was enrolled in school, she had no idea how to communicate.
“I went from loving school to being terrified and petrified of it because I didn’t understand what anybody was saying,” said Onofre.
5 men arrested in Albertville child exploitation sting
She says she felt isolated and had difficulty learning.
“Not having those words to communicate with others of your needs is scary,” she explained.
Since then, Albertville Schools has seen its population of foreign language students grow. Within the past two months, the district has seen 60 extra foreign students come into its schools.
According to district leaders, of its nearly 6,000 total student population, sixty-five percent are Hispanic, and thirty-four percent are classified as English learning students or learning English as a second language.
School officials say there aren’t enough teachers to support the growing need to teach English and are pleading with state leaders for help.
Albertville City Schools introduces electric school buses to fleet
“You really don’t understand the challenges until you work with your teachers who see them every single day,” said Albertville City Schools Superintendent Bart Reeves. “That’s why we’re reaching out to legislators. It’s not to point fingers and it’s not to complain but it’s just simply a call for help and That’s all this is. We need help.”
Reeves told News 19 that resources like teacher aides in classrooms to help E-L students advance are too thin.
“We have 8 aides in our kindergarten school, and we’ve got 495 students and a large portion of them are E-L students,” said Reeves.
Reeves says that 85 of his 100 third graders are in danger of falling back due to the Alabama Literacy Act, where students who do not pass a reading assessment to advance to the next grade will be retained.
Albertville City Magnet School receives official name
Onofre shared her struggles as an English learner student with Congressman Robert Aderholt and is seeing the district struggle firsthand.
“You feel helpless and that’s a terrible thing for a teacher to feel toward your student because you might be the only safe place that they see,” said Onofre. “It is very disheartening to not be able to communicate with your students.”
Albertville schools are asking the state legislature for help to address significant challenges impacting the educational environment within the district and are advocating for an amendment to the Alabama Literacy Act.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.