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District hears English-learner report showing 339 current ELs last year; staffing flagged as central need
Summary
Title III coordinator Maria Lee summarized state EL metrics (data from 2022–23): Phoenix-Talent SD served 339 current English learners and 128 former ELs. Board members pressed staff about caseloads; administrators said staffing is the key constraint.
Maria Lee, Title III and migrant education coordinator, presented highlights from the Oregon Department of Education EL report and told the board the district "served 339 current English learners" in the 2022–23 school year and had 128 former ELs.
Lee summarized statewide context — nearly 100,000 current or former English learners in Oregon in 2022–23 — and noted patterns the report showed: current ELs have lower attendance rates at the high-school level and are more likely to graduate with modified diplomas; students designated as ELs in high school are less likely to attend college than their peers. She said younger ELs have more time to exit the program and emphasized the district tracks both current and former ELs in yearly reporting.
Board members asked whether the district has enough ELD staffing. Maria and staff said caseloads are the primary issue: Carrie Baker (Phoenix Elementary) typically has a caseload around 100; the Tallinn Elementary ELD teacher is about 60; Orchard Hill's caseload was about 30 last year. The district has at least one ELD teacher who splits time between Orchard Hill and Talent Middle School.
Why it matters: EL students’ outcomes (attendance, diploma type, postsecondary enrollment) are key equity indicators and drive staffing and program decisions. The board asked staff to monitor caseloads and noted more accurate enrollment data will be available around Oct. 1, when the district finalizes counts for the year.
What’s next: The EL report is included in the board packet for reference; staff will continue to analyze staffing needs and present updated counts after initial enrollment stabilizes.
