English Learner Programs

  • All English learners participate in one of two programs depending on parent choice and availability of programs: Sheltered English Immersion and Alternative Bilingual Programs. They all include English Language Development (ELD) and teaching strategies differentiated for each student’s level of English language proficiency. Our adopted ELA/ELD materials in grades TK-6 support at least 30 minutes of designated ELD and integrated ELD throughout the day. At the middle schools, designated ELD may or may not occur as a separate class depending on their language and academic needs. Please contact your child’s school for more information. In order to succeed academically in all core subjects, strategies are used to help each student reach proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing. All classes have Sheltered English Immersion in place to support English learners according to their level of language proficiency. The California ELA/ELD Framework states that other students who are not identified as an English learner may also participate in ELD instruction if it is beneficial for them. However, the ELD instruction must be principally designed for the English learner at their proficiency level. Sometimes, parents may want to have their child enroll in an Alternative Program where some or all of the instruction is delivered in a language other than English. Parents are notified of their right to have their child access an Alternative Program and procedures to support increased alternative programs in our District. The important thing is that parents have choice in their child’s educational program and while they can opt into and out of a program, the District is required to provide language support services until the student reclassifies. English learners with exceptional needs receive their English instructional settings through their Individual Educational Program (IEP). The IEP will reference how such program will support student’s English language development. In California and at OMSD, the two program options at are:

    Structured English Immersion (SEI) Program:

    A language acquisition program for English learners in which nearly all classroom instruction is provided in English, but with curriculum and a presentation designed for pupils who are learning English. At minimum, students are offered ELD and access to grade level academic subject matter content. All classrooms in OMSD are SEI, where English learners are receiving instruction in English with linguistic supports at their level of English proficiency.

    Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program:

    Also referred to as Two-Way Immersion. A language acquisition program that provides language learning and academic instruction for native speakers of English and native speakers of another language, with the goals of high academic achievement, first and second language proficiency, and cross-cultural understanding. This program begins in Kindergarten and continues to eighth grade. OMSD offers Dual-Language Immersion in Spanish at Central Language Academy (CLA) for students in grades K-8, Euclid Elementary School in grades K-1, and a new Dual-Language Immersion program in Mandarin at Montera Elementary School for Kinder. For additional information, please visit our website at: www.omsd.net or call CLA at (909) 983-8522, Euclid at (909) 984-5119, or Montera at (909) 445-1062.