How FCPS is adapting to record numbers of English learners

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — As the number of English learners in Kentucky continues to grow, Fayette County Public Schools is working with students and families to keep up with the growing demand for resources and services.

Geoneida Molina moved to Lexington from Venezuela last year with her 8-year-old daughter. Despite the language barrier, Molina said her daughter is progressing and is now fluent in English.

With the help of a multilingual family ambassador, LEX 18 spoke with Molina about her experience moving to the neighborhood.

“My daughter’s experience was truly extraordinary,” she said.

She added that her daughter was able to quickly integrate into the FCPS community.

“It was very important because she feels happy, safe and secure.”

The district’s multilingual department is headed by Rose Santiago. Santiago grew up in Puerto Rico and then moved to the Bronx, New York, where she taught herself English.

She said she achieved success in school because of teachers who pushed her and showed her empathy, not pity.

“I said I would be a bilingual teacher because they were so influential,” she said. That’s exactly what she did while working as a bilingual teacher across the country before becoming director of multilingual and gifted and talented services at FCPS.

Her experience has influenced the way she works with students and families.

“I remember my mother went to school the day she enrolled me. And the second time she went to school was the day I graduated. Not because she didn’t care, but because she didn’t know how to study. navigate the system,” Santiago said.

Her team worked to develop programs to not only integrate the district’s students, but also their families.

The district has 113 different language backgrounds, and eight multilingual family ambassadors serve as a bridge between schools and families who do not speak or write English.

The district also hired translators and translation devices to assist with communication. Family classes and a multilingual center that helps families provide food, housing and employment have also made an impact.

“We are adding professional learning opportunities for our families to understand attendance, to understand how to navigate the school system, to understand their rights, but also their responsibilities,” Santiago said.

The district’s testing results showed steady improvement among English language learners. In 2022, 17 FCPS schools were flagged under federal guidelines for “low achievement” of English language learners. This year, only 6 FCPS schools were designated.

“No matter your zip code, we are removing barriers and providing opportunities,” Santiago said.

This article is the second part of a two-part series on the growing population of English learners in Kentucky schools. Part one can be found Here.