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SLPS academics update: ELL supports, dual-enrollment student reports and uniform cycle for athletics
Summary
Academics staff updated the board on English-language learner services, Early College and dual-enrollment programs with student speakers, and on athletics uniform and equipment purchasing cycles; staff reported increases in interpreter use and early indicators of student growth in ELL benchmarks.
St. Louis Public Schools academic leaders told the board on Jan. 13 that the district is expanding services for English learners, highlighting family events, on-demand interpretation and teacher training, and described early positive indications in benchmark measures. The academics presentation also included student testimonials from dual-enrollment programs and an update on the district’s athletics uniform and equipment purchasing cycles.
“Multilingualism is a superpower,” said Doctor Dino during the update, framing the English-language learner (ELL) program’s goals. The presentation said about 15.6% of SLPS students speak a language other than English at home and district interpreters have provided roughly 11,103 instances of interpretation so far this year across more than 50 countries and 60 languages. Academics staff said they have also provided translations for documents and recorded robocalls in multiple languages.
District staff described an on-demand phone interpretation service (Language Link) deployed at every school and reported 2,439 instances of that service this year. Teacher training efforts noted by the presentation include co-teaching strategies and “psy up” (instructional) training; staff said 134 educators completed co-teaching training and 160 are engaged in psy-up training. Classroom observations cited 85% of observed classrooms with posted content and language objectives, and 72% incorporating intentional linguistic supports.
The academics presentation moved to Early College Academy and dual enrollment, and included student speakers who credited dual-enrollment with improving college preparedness. “The dual enrollment program helped me because it gave me a jump start,” said Markell Murphy, a recent participant who is now a college freshman and said the experience improved time-management and study skills. Panelists from several cohorts and a parent described how dual enrollment led to scholarship offers and helped students transition into college coursework.
“Each spring, we have up to 55% of our SLPS high school students that attend Harris-Stowe State University courses two days a week,” Doctor Dino said, introducing several students and alumni who described academic and career outcomes tied to dual enrollment, including scholarship awards from nearby colleges.
Academics staff also reviewed athletics purchasing: uniforms follow a three-year replacement cycle and schools submit requests to the district athletic director for replacements. The presentation showed that uniform and equipment costs have risen, and staff listed specific purchases by school and sport for the 2024–25 year. “Each school and sport can expect to receive new uniforms once every three years,” the presenter said, while noting out-of-cycle purchases occur when safety or federation requirements change or when unforeseen events (flooding, damage) require replacement.
Board members asked whether band uniforms and marching units are included in the athletic purchase cycle. Academics staff replied some band equipment is managed by schools rather than the athletic department and said they will compile a list of band uniform and equipment purchases for board review.
Ending: The academics office said it will bring subsequent, focused updates on other dual-enrollment partners and the Harrison Center program at future board meetings.
