English Language Development

Course Title: GATEWAYS Literacy 9-12, GATEWAYS Lab 4

Course Number: 1221-1222, 1224-1225, 1227-1228, 1230-1231

Grade Level: 9-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites: Placement based upon level of English proficiency, as determined by district assessment, ELPAC scores, and/or teacher recommendation

Course Description: The GATEWAYS Literacy courses provide an instructional model designed to accelerate reading growth and to provide tactical reading strategies necessary to comprehend increasingly complex text. Instruction includes modeled, guided, and shared reading activities and supports writing improvement. Large group, small group, and individual instructional plans support a diverse learning community. Direct instruction and reading activities build phonetic awareness, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency. Instruction is leveled to best support each individual student’s growth and development as a reader and writer. The course is organized around a balanced approach to literacy for secondary students, incorporating elements of effective instruction in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students enrolled in a GATEWAYS Literacy course are also enrolled in the GATEWAYS Lab course. This course provides extended instructional time ensuring that students make rapid growth in reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.

Course Title: ELD Academic Assistance

Course Number: 8475-8476

Grade Level: 9-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites: Placement based upon level of English proficiency, as determined by district assessment, ELPAC scores, and/or teacher recommendation

Course Description: This course is an elective course designed to address the core content academic needs of EL (English Learners). Participants are identified as requiring additional language and literacy support to meet the expectations of the academic curriculum. Students will receive language support and encouragement necessary for students to be successful academically. Participants receive targeted ELD instruction designed to improve the reading comprehension and writing skills required in the core curriculum and are provided assistance with a variety of tasks including assignments, assessments, and projects. Study skills, time management skills, and note-taking skills are reinforced through instruction.

Course Title: ELD Reading Improvement

Course Number: 1414-1415

Grade Level: 9-10

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites: Placement based upon level of English proficiency, as determined by district assessment, ELPAC scores, and/or teacher recommendation

Course Description: Reading Improvement and ELD Companion are designed to develop the reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, writing, listening, and independent reading skills that students need to become engaged, competent readers. These classes use Text Connections and iLit to empower students to tackle the variety of texts that they will encounter in their academic and professional lives. In addition, these courses are geared toward giving low-level readers and writers a sense of accomplishment and confidence that will motivate and lead them to become lifelong readers.

ELPAC Assessment: The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is the required state test for English language proficiency (ELP) that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English. State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of ELP to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The California Department of Education (CDE) transitioned from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the ELPAC as the state ELP assessment in 2018. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate ELP assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs), and a second for the annual summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and to identify the student's level of ELP (California Department of Education).