[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 12 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNITION OF JASON LEE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN VANCOUVER, WA

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, as I have traveled throughout 
Washington State, meeting with parents and educators, I have learned 
about the unique needs that exist in each of our school districts. One 
of those challenges is teaching children who speak English as their 
second language. In Vancouver, Washington, Jason Lee Middle School has 
created a program called the Jason Lee English Transition System (JETS) 
that tackles this challenge head on and not only teaches English, but 
also identifies exceptional and special needs students and helps them 
to excel. I am proud to present my 32nd ``Innovation in Education'' 
award to the JETS program of Vancouver's Jason Lee Middle School.
  Twenty-five percent of Jason Lee's students are English Language 
Learners [ELL] and speak 14 different languages. A majority of these 
students speak either Russian, Ukrainian, or Spanish, creating a 
diverse student body and enhancing every child's education. When a 
child begins to learn English at Jason Lee, they do not immediately 
enter mainstream classes and instead are taught in their native 
language to demonstrate their math and reading levels. Students must 
also go through an intensive instruction in English before they are 
brought into general education classes. This advance preparation means 
that ELL students are greeted with a more inclusive atmosphere and will 
have a greater understanding of their classes and coursework.
  Another challenge that faces students new to the United States is 
understanding American culture while maintaining ties to their own 
native culture. The JETS program also recognizes this difficult 
adjustment by putting a great emphasis on encouraging both the 
celebration of the native culture and in actively encouraging parental 
involvement.
  In addition, JETS has taken the further step of working to not only 
provide these students with a smooth transition into English, but it 
goes one step further and identifies gifted students and students with 
special needs. Too often, programs for non-English speaking students 
struggle to identify children needing special attention. Clearly, JETS 
has addressed that obstacle and serves as a model for school districts 
struggling with the same challenges.
  The JETS program does not just teach students English, it identifies 
and addresses the many issues that a child new to this country must 
suddenly deal with and seeks an understanding of each student's 
learning level. I applaud the teachers and staff at Jason Lee Middle 
School for developing the JETS program which demonstrates the 
innovation and creativity that is happening in our schools today. I 
congratulate Jason Lee Middle School for its outstanding work in this 
field of education.

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