English Language Development
The Multilingual Learner Program supports scholars who are identified as emerging bilingual students. The purpose of the program is to support scholars in achieving proficiency in the English language. This is accomplished through a focus on Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. There are three groupings in our MLL program: Newcomer, Beginner, and Intermediate. These groupings are based on WIDA proficiency levels. For more detailed information about the groupings, click here.
The English Language Learner Department consists of a Team of dedicated professionals that help support our bilingual families. There are several opportunities for parents to get involved, including, ELPAC, MLL family nights, adult English Program, After School and Summer programs, as well as parent-teacher conferences. Finally, the Parent Information Center (PIC), located in Room 121 at Collins Middle School, is a district office that has a wealth of resources to help our bilingual families navigate the school system.
Newcomer
Newcomer ELD classes are for ELL scholars whose overall proficiency score is 1 to 1.9 on the ACCESS test or the WIDA Screener. Scholars are in ELD with an MLL specialist while their peers are in ELA. In this class, Scholars learn basic social and academic English. Scholars are welcomed into a safe environment where they can take risks while learning to speak, listen to, read and write English. The goal is to build their English language skills for all academic classes.
Beginner
The Beginner ELD Program serves MLL scholars whose overall proficiency score is between 2-2.9 on the ACCESS Test. The services include pulling out more than one scholar, from the ELA classroom, with the same level of English. The ELD classroom provides these scholars a place to interact and meet with other MLL scholars…
Intermediate
The Intermediate ELD Program serves MLL scholars who score between 3-5 on the ACCESS Test and consists of an ESL Teacher co-teaching English Language Arts content. In a co-taught ELA classroom, scholars engage in thematic units that culminate in a task that incorporates the four domains of language and a variety of literacy skills that are grade and standards-appropriate. The curriculum includes rigorous nonfiction and fiction texts, critical thinking, and text-based discussions. The goal for Intermediate scholars is to obtain an ACCESS Score of 4.2 Overall and 3.9 in Literacy (50% Reading and 50% Writing).