English Language Development

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.

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: