I. Involvement
The District strongly supports the involvement of all parents, including parents of English learners, in the educational process of their children. Research continues to show evidence of the benefits parent involvement brings to the academic achievement of students.
All school sites have a functioning English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC). Among other responsibilities, the ELAC advises the principal and staff in the development of a site plan for ELs which is submitted to the School Site Council for consideration for inclusion in the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA). For more information on the roles and responsibilities of the ELAC click the blue ELAC button below.
The District has a functioning District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC). Among other responsibilities, the DELAC advises the school district governing board on the development of a district master plan, including policies, per the State Board of Education (SBE) EL Roadmap Policy, guiding consistent implementation of EL educational programs and services, that takes into consideration the SPSAs. For more information on the roles and responsibilities of the DELAC click the blue DELAC button below.
II. Governance and Administration
The Alvord Unified School District takes steps to properly identify and assess all students who have a home language other than English.
During a student’s initial California enrollment, a home language survey (HLS) is conducted to identify whether the primary or native language of the student is a language other than English.
The District administers the Initial English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) to each student eligible for the initial assessment within 30 calendar days after the student’s initial date of California enrollment. Parents or guardians, are notified in writing, of the results of the initial assessment.
Alvord annually assesses the English language proficiency (ELP) and academic progress of each English learner. For detailed information on the identification of English learners click on the blue Identification & Assessment button below.
III. Funding
The district uses general fund resources to provide services and programs for English learners, including English Language Development (ELD) and access to the standard instructional program.
Alvord uses Title III funds to supplement the core programs for English learners. Specifically Title III funds are used to:
Provide primary language support via Bilingual Assistants at the school sites.
Provide supplemental support to English learners and immigrant students and their families via a Community Worker from the EL Support Services office.
Annually, the District's Title III Plan, including the proposed use of funds, is presented to DELAC for review and input. Alvord DELAC 4/20/21 For more information on Title III click on the blue Title III button below.
IV. Standards, Assessment, & Accountability
Alvord reclassifies students from English learner (EL) to proficient in English by using a process and criteria that includes, but is not limited to the following:
Assessment of English language proficiency (ELP).
Teacher evaluation that includes, but is not limited to, the student’s academic performance.
Opportunities for parent opinion, consultation, and involvement during the reclassification process.
Comparison of student’s performance in basic skills which demonstrates whether the student is sufficiently proficient in English to participate effectively in a curriculum designed for students of the same age whose native language is English.
Alvord monitors the progress of reclassified students for a minimum of four years to ensure correct classification, placement, and additional academic support, as needed. For more information on the required assessments, reclassification guidelines, and RFEP monitoring click the blue Reclassification button below.
V. Staffing & Professional Development
Alvord Unified School District has quality teachers who hold the appropriate English learner (EL) authorization and receive ongoing training to support all English language learners. EL students receive English Language Development (ELD) to support their English acquisition and support content learning and understanding. (K)
Professional Development designed to improve the instruction and assessment of ELs is provided to classroom teachers, principals, other school leaders, administrators, and other school or community-based organizational personnel.
For more information on EL authorizations and required professional development click the blue Staffing & Professional Development button below.
VI. Opportunity & Equal Educational Access
School districts must, at a minimum, provide English learners with a structured English immersion (SEI) program. SEI programs provide nearly all classroom instruction in English, but with curriculum and a presentation designed for students who are learning English.
Parents or legal guardians of students enrolled in the school may choose a language acquisition program that best suits their child. “Language acquisition program” refers to educational programs designed to ensure English acquisition as rapidly and as effectively as possible and provide instruction to students on the state-adopted academic content standards, including the ELD standards.
Alvord offers the following language acquisition programs:
Structured English Immersion (SEI) Program: A language acquisition program for English learners in which nearly all classroom instruction is provided in English, but with curriculum and a presentation designed for students who are learning English.
Dual-Language Immersion (DLI) Program. Also referred to as Two-Way Immersion: A language acquisition program that provides language learning and academic instruction for native speakers of English and native speakers of Spanish with the goal of first and second language proficiency. For more information on language acquisition programs click the blue button below.
VII. Teaching & Learning
As part of the standard instructional program provided through general funds, all identified English learners (ELs) receive a program of English Language Development (ELD) instruction, which includes designated and integrated ELD.
ELD instruction is designed for ELs to develop proficiency in English as rapidly and effectively as possible and to meet state priorities.
Academic instruction for ELs in grades TK–12 is designed and implemented to ensure that ELs meet district content and performance standards for their respective grade levels within a reasonable amount of time.
The District/schools monitor student academic progress and provide additional and appropriate educational services to ELs in grades TK–12 for the purposes of overcoming language barriers in each subject matter.
