ELD Program Options
Annual Notice of Parent and Guardian Rights and Responsibilities
EC sections 48980 & 48981
Choosing a Language Acquisition Program
Parents or guardians may choose a language acquisition program that best suits their child (EC Section 310). Language acquisition programs are educational programs designed to ensure English acquisition occurs as rapidly and effectively as possible. They provide instruction to students based on the state-adopted academic content standards, including English language development (ELD) standards (20 U.S.C. Section 6312[e][3][A][iii],[v]); EC Section 306[c]).
Language Acquisition Programs Offered
CUSD 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. In addition to grade level academic subject matter content, teachers use strategies and materials designed for pupils who are learning English. Once students enter middle school, English Learners may be enrolled in an English Language Development (ELD) course in addition to their regular English class to learn and practice skills that will support success in other academic courses. CUSD is required to offer, at minimum, a Structured English Immersion program option (EC Section 305[a][2]).
Alternative Program - Dual Language Mandarin Immersion: A language acquisition program that provides language learning and academic instruction in English and in Mandarin with the goals of high academic achievement, language proficiency in English and Mandarin, and cross-cultural understanding. This program is designed using evidence-based research and includes both designated and integrated ELD. This program begins in Kindergarten and continues through eighth grade. Students enter this program via a lottery process. If you are interested in learning more, please visit the CUSD website or school website for information about information meetings/tours. Currently, this program is located at the Muir Elementary campus and Miller Middle School
Process to Request Establishment of a Language Acquisition Program not Offered at the School
We welcome parent input regarding language acquisition programs during the development of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). Parent input is gathered during the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) / District English Learner Advisory Council (DELAC) meetings. If you are interested in attending these meetings or requesting a new program via email, please contact Allison Liner, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. (EC Section 52062)
Parents or guardians may choose a language acquisition program that best suits their child. Schools in which the parents or guardians of 30 students or more per school or the parents or guardians of 20 students or more in any grade request a language acquisition program that is designed to provide language instruction shall be required to offer such a program to the extent possible (20 U.S.C. Section 6312[e][3][A][viii][III]); EC Section 310[a]).
Although schools have an obligation to serve all EL students, parents or guardians of EL students have a right to decline or opt their children out of a school’s EL program or out of particular EL services within an EL program. If parents or guardians opt their children out of a school’s EL program or specific EL services, the children retain their status as EL students and will be assessed annually with the Summative ELPAC. The school remains obligated to take the affirmative steps required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the appropriate actions required by the Equal Educational Opportunity Act of 1974 to provide EL students access to its educational programs (20 U.S.C. sections 1703[f], 6312[e][3][A][viii]).
Language Acquisition Program Requirements
Language acquisition programs are educational programs designed to ensure English acquisition occurs as rapidly and effectively as possible.
- The California Education Code specifies that any language acquisition program shall:
- Include instruction on the state-adopted academic content standards, including the English Language Development Standards
- Be designed using evidence-based research
- Provide a program of Structured English Immersion for English learners, which includes Designated and Integrated ELD.
- Be allocated sufficient resources to be effectively implemented, including, but not limited to, certificated teachers with the appropriate authorizations, necessary instructional materials, pertinent professional development for the proposed program, and opportunities for parent and community engagement to support the proposed program goals
Within a reasonable period of time, programs must lead to:
- Grade-level proficiency in English, and, when the program model includes instruction in another language, proficiency in that other language; and
- Achievement of the state-adopted academic content standards in English, and, when the program model includes instruction in another language, achievement of the state-adopted academic content standards in that other language.
Special Education - English Learners with IEPs
If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), his or her program placement and services will contribute to meeting English Language Development goals. Please contact your child’s case manager or school principal if you have questions about how his or her IEP supports progress towards proficiency in English.
Questions?
If you have questions about your child’s learning or program, please contact your child’s teacher or the school principal. For District program questions, please contact Allison Liner, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services.
Structured English Immersion (SEI) Program in Grades 6-8
A language acquisition program for English learners in which nearly all classroom instruction is provided in English. In addition to grade level academic subject matter content, teachers use strategies and materials designed for pupils who are learning English. English Learners in Grades 6-8 may be enrolled in an English Language Development course to learn and practice skills that will support success in other academic courses.
Alternative Program - Mandarin ImmersionA language acquisition program that provides language learning and academic instruction in English and in Mandarin with the goals of high academic achievement, language proficiency in English and Mandarin, and cross-cultural understanding. This program begins in Kindergarten and continues through eighth grade. Students enter this program via a lottery process. If you’re interested in learning more, please visit the CUSD website or school website for information about information meetings/tours.
Parents/Guardians may choose a language acquisition program that best suits their child. Education Code also specifies that schools in which the parents or legal guardians of 30 pupils or more per school, or the parents or legal guardians of 20 pupils or more in any grade request a language acquisition program that is designed to provide language instruction shall be required to offer such a program to the extent possible.
A Note About Special Education - Students with IEPsIf your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), his or her program placement and services will contribute to meeting English Language Development goals. Please contact your child’s case manager or school principal if you have questions about how his or her IEP supports progress towards proficiency in English.