The Board of Education recognizes the need to provide equal educational opportunities for all students in the district. Therefore, if the inability to speak and understand the English language excludes a student from effective participation in the educational programs offered by the district, the district shall take appropriate action to rectify the English language deficiency in order to provide the student equal access to its programs. Identifying students who are English Language Learners (ELL) and ensuring them equal access to appropriate programs are the first steps to improving their academic achievement levels. (Board Policy 2067)