Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ell Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves student‑authored 'Let Me Learn' resolution to support newcomer ELLs
Summary
The board unanimously approved a student‑authored resolution asking the district to permit translation apps for newcomer English learners, add translated signage at newcomer pathway sites and encourage staff to learn basic phrases; Facilities estimated signage at roughly $60 per sign and staff said the policy is encouraging, not mandatory.
The San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education on May 13 approved a student‑authored resolution titled "Let Me Learn," asking the district to remove barriers for newcomer English learners by allowing translation apps, posting translated signs at newcomer pathways and encouraging staff to learn basic phrases.
Students from Lincoln High School read the resolution into the record and described new arrivals’ struggles in school. "The name of the revolution is Let Me Learn," a student said during the reading. Commissioner Sandra Fewer — who worked with students to draft the measure — introduced it to the board.
The resolution requests that the superintendent develop a digital framework permitting translation applications on personal devices for instructional use, encourage principals and staff to learn simple phrases in the languages most represented at sites, and provide translated signage in high‑school locations with newcomer pathways. Commissioner Fewer said the measure was co‑written with students in the peer resources class.
Chief of Facilities David Golden provided a cost estimate at the board’s request: about $60 per sign to produce translations and a rough estimate of $600 per school if 10 signs are posted in a school, with Facilities able to handle installation. Superintendent Carranza and staff said the language is encouraging rather than mandatory and would therefore carry minimal direct budgetary impact for the language‑learning encouragement portion.
Board members praised the student authors and framed the resolution as a district effort to reduce classroom barriers for ELL students. Vice President Haney said the students’ leadership would benefit future newcomer cohorts. After a motion to suspend the rules and formally introduce the resolution, the board approved it by roll call: seven ayes.
The resolution directs staff to draft implementation steps and return with any necessary analyses; the board recorded the immediate action as introduction and formal adoption on first reading.
