Washington Unified reports growth, new reclassification rules and expanded newcomer supports for English learners

Stacy Tran, director of English Learners and Support Programs for Washington Unified School District, presented the district's annual English Language Development (ELD) program update at the March 13 board meeting, reporting demographic changes, program expansions and new state reclassification rules.

Tran told the board, "Tonight, I'm pleased to share the annual English language development program and services update with you." She said Washington Unified currently enrolls 1,221 students designated as English learners, representing 17% of the district's enrollment, and 2,814 multilingual students overall when reclassified and initially fluent students are included.

The update outlined how those students are distributed across schools and how services are targeted. Tran said 29% of current English learners are "newcomers" (in U.S. schools fewer than three years), a group that drew focused supports at River City High School, Riverbank and Westmore Oaks. She noted school-by-school variation: Westfield reported roughly 42% of its students currently designated as English learners and Riverbank about…