Hermiston trustees review English‑learner report, SLIFE numbers and assessment strategy; district seeks double‑digit growth

School leaders told the Hermiston School Board on Sept. 22 that English‑learner enrollment and assessment results continue to shape instruction and district priorities.

Presenters said 39% of Hermiston students are "ever English learners" (students who are current, former or monitored ELs) and that 21% of students were currently enrolled in EL services in the 2023–24 state report the district reviewed. The district said 69% of current EL students are in elementary grades and about 31% are in secondary grades.

SLIFE and languages: staff highlighted a comparatively large SLIFE population (students with limited or interrupted formal education): the state report counted 934 SLIFE students across Oregon; Hermiston had 84 SLIFE students in that report, an increase of 37 from the prior reporting period. Presenters said Hermiston—s SLIFE population includes students who are preliterate in their native language and sometimes speak Mayan dialects (the district noted roughly 12% of its EL population speaks a Mayan dialect). The district has hired bilingual staff able to interpret in Spanish and a Mayan dialect and uses family engagement specialists to reach those families.

Attendance, achievement and graduation: the presentation compared never‑EL, former‑EL and current‑EL outcomes. The board heard statewide…