District launches summer school for pre-emergent multilingual learners to boost English skills

The Creighton Elementary District Governing Board convened on June 2, 2025, to discuss several key initiatives aimed at enhancing educational support for multilingual learners. The meeting highlighted the district's commitment to improving language acquisition strategies and addressing the unique needs of students across its nine campuses.

One of the primary topics was the introduction of a new scope and sequence for writing and grammar instruction tailored specifically for multilingual learners. This initiative, developed in collaboration with instructional coaches, aims to integrate targeted writing and grammar instruction into the district's curriculum. The board emphasized the importance of aligning common formative assessments with these new instructional guides to better track student progress.

A significant point of discussion was the need to disaggregate data for special education (SPED) students who are also multilingual learners. The district plans to utilize the EduCLIMBER system to filter and analyze data by various student subgroups, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of their educational outcomes. Currently, approximately 20% of multilingual learners are receiving special education services, a statistic that underscores the importance of tailored instructional strategies.

The board also addressed the challenges posed by the diverse linguistic backgrounds of students, noting that over 30 home languages are represented within the district. To support these learners, the district has adopted English Language Arts (ELA) resources that provide guidance on differentiated instruction based on language acquisition patterns. The focus is on scaffolding language instruction across proficiency levels, ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed.

In response to the high percentage of multilingual learners at the pre-emergent and emergent levels, the district is implementing a summer school program specifically designed for these students. This program targets those with two or fewer years of English language instruction and aims to accelerate their language development. The board discussed the logistics of the program, which will consist of six classes with approximately 15 students each, and the methods that will be used to assess its effectiveness.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to analyze data from schools that have successfully exceeded growth expectations for multilingual learners. The district plans to leverage this information to replicate successful practices across all campuses, ensuring that all students benefit from effective instructional strategies.

Overall, the Governing Board's discussions reflect a proactive approach to enhancing educational outcomes for multilingual learners, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and targeted instructional support. The district is poised to implement these initiatives in the upcoming school year, with the goal of fostering an inclusive and effective learning environment for all students.