English Language Development

Welcome to the English Language Development Department

MISSION STATEMENT

It is the goal of the English Language Development Department to provide the opportunity for all students to acquire fluency in all areas of English language communication and to assist them in mastering the Common core grade-level standards for required classes via specially structured curriculum (Sheltered) or through primary language instruction. All teachers are driven to promote academic success as well as character development. 

OUR PROCESS

Students who are new to the District begin the enrollment process at SMMS Counseling Office where they can obtain the necessary enrollment materials. If the family indicates that there is another language spoken in the home, then they must call the Language Assessment Center to make an appointment for a language evaluation for the student. If this is the first time that the child is enrolling in school in the United States, he/she will need to take several tests that measure the student's fluency in both English and the primary language. The CELDT (California English Language Development Test) is used to determine English fluency and will be repeated once a year (in September or October) until the student is determined to be fluent in all aspects of English. If the student is coming from another district, the CELDT will not be repeated, however, the parents or guardians will need to go to the Assessment Center to provide information regarding the student's educational history.

Once the testing or interview is completed and the family turns in all of the enrollment materials, the Counseling Office and the English Language Development coordinator (Mrs. Spring) will formulate the appropriate schedule for the student. Depending on the results, the student will be placed in one of the following levels and will hopefully move through one level per year until they make the transition to regular classes:

ELD I

  • 2 classes of English Language Development I
  • 1 Sheltered Math class
  • 1 History Class (in Spanish or Sheltered English when possible)
  • 1 Science Class (in Spanish or Sheltered English when possible)
  • 1 P.E. class

ELD II

  • 2 classes of English language Development II
  • 1 Sheltered Math class
  • 1 History Class (in Spanish *or Sheltered English when possible)
  • 1 Science Class (in Spanish *or Sheltered English when possible)
  • 1 P.E. class

(use of Spanish decreases throughout the year so that by the 3rd trimester, most of the class is taught in English. Spanish texts for these classes are the state approved versions of the District adopted textbook)

ELD III - 6th graders at this level have their own class. 7th and 8th graders are combined at this level

  • 2 classes of English language Development III
  • 1 Sheltered Math class
  • 1 Sheltered History Class
  • 1 Sheltered Science Class
  • 1 P.E. class

ELD IV - 6th graders at this level have their own class. 7th and 8th graders are combined at this level

  • 2 classes of English language Development III
  • 1 Sheltered Math class
  • 1 Sheltered History Class
  • 1 Sheltered Science Class
  • 1 P.E. class

Regular classes, perhaps with Reading or Math Support


All of our teachers are specially chosen for their desire to work with second language students and the specific training and/or language skills they possess. As a team, the English development teachers are known to be among the friendliest in the school and even if they are not familiar with your home language and country, they are always looking to make new friends to add to our internationally family at SMMS.

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