The English Learner Program is an essential part of American education for any student who attends public school and is not yet fluent in the English language. Upon initial enrollment, every student fills out information about the language(s) present in his/her home. An assessment, called the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) is administered for those students who speak another language (or others in the home speak another language) to determine the level of fluency. The students who are not yet academically fluent in English join the English Language Development (ELD) Program.

The acquisition of English is a developmental process. Research recognizes that no two students develop proficiency in English at the same rate. It may take six years or more to achieve academic English proficiency comparable to that of native English-speaking peers.

The English Language Development (ELD) helps students develop proficiency in English as rapidly and as effectively as possible. English Language Development (ELD) lessons are designed to promote English learners’ acquisition of listening, speaking, reading and writing. English Learners receive additional support in both English and in their core academic classes.

All of the instructional programs designed for English Learners contain the following components:

• Standards-based differentiated English Language Development (ELD) instruction, specifically designed for English language learners.
• Differentiated core curriculum instruction through Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE).
• Structured activities designed to develop multicultural competency and positive self-esteem.

Links

• District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)
• English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
• English Language Development Standards
• English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC)
• Language Acquisition Programs
• Reclassification as Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) Criteria
• Title III Transition Plan

Forms and Worksheets

• Annual Parent Notification – Federal Title I and III and State Requirements
• Appeal Form for Denial of Parental Exception Waiver
• Initial Parent Notification – Federal Title I and III and State Requirements
• Language Acquisition Program Request Form
• Parent Notification Letter – Results of the English Language Proficiency Assessment and Continued Designation as an English Learner
• Re-Classification as Fluent English Proficient Determination Worksheet
• Re-Classification as Fluent English Proficient Monitoring Summary Spreadsheet
• Re-Classification as Fluent English Proficient Monitoring Summary Spreadsheet
• Request for Parental Exception Waiver Form