(STORM LAKE, IA) It's the last chapter to a story we first brought you back in March. Storm Lake Senior Lori Phanachone refused to take a required English Language Assessment Test. The honor student was suspended and kicked out of the National Honor Society. Now the district has resolved the issue.
The Storm Lake Community School District began revising its English Language Learner - or ELL - Plan back in April 2008.
"We believe it is a role model policy that can be followed across the state," says Dr. Paul Tedesco, Storm Lake Superintendent.
But when Lori Phanachone boycotted the yearly ELL Test in February, a requirement because she speaks Laotian at home, the school district put its ELL Plan under the microscope.
"I think without her coming forward, we may not have went as far into our plan and planned to do as much afterwards," says Dr. Tedesco.
On Friday all parties involved signed a memorandum of understanding.
"I'm just really, really happy that storm lake has changed their policy so that no one can be misclassified and the people that have been misclassified can be reclassified," says Lori Phanachone.
The district collaborated with the US Department of Justice and the Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage.
"There wasn't any tug-of-war, there wasn't any fighting over turf. Good ideas were exchanged and we talked them through. I think that outside influence was a positive factor," says Dr. Tedesco.
The past few months tested Phanachone's resolve, likely the toughest test she faced in her high school career.
"My mom and my step-dad, they're on the sidelines cheering me on. They're happy for me," says Phanachone.
Phanachone will attend Iowa State University this fall. She's undecided on her major but plans to get a minor in Spanish.
The Memorandum of Understanding outlines four issues of agreement:
I. Notice - The SLCSD will notify parents of students' placement in the ELL program. Oral interpretation and written translations will be utilized as needed to ensure families with linguistic barriers are fully informed.
II. Policy - The SLCSD adopted a new, highly structured ELL Service policy that was passed by the Storm Lake Board as of June 17, 2009.
III. Procedure - The SLCSD has constructed a new, step by step procedure in handling ELL requirements.
IV. Community Outreach - The SLCSD will begin to develop new and viable ELL community relationships to assist the district.
The Storm Lake High School will also implement one ELL instructor as the High School ELL coordinator to oversee the proper identification, program placement and assessment of ELL students.
Representatives with the Storm Lake Community School District, US Department of Justice, Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage, and Lori Phanachone all signed the memorandum.
Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at ethomas@kmeg.com.
