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Mill Valley outlines plans for English‑learner supports as staffing changes approach
Summary
District director Kate Sprague told the board the ELD program uses ELPAC assessments and a mix of pull‑out and integrated instruction; staff said the dedicated ELD TOSA position will not continue next year and TLL TOSAs and classroom teachers will fill designated ELD roles.
Kate Sprague, the district's director of educational services, presented the Mill Valley School District's English learner (EL) supports on March 5 and described how the district uses California's ELPAC assessment, TOSAs and curriculum tools to provide designated and integrated English‑language development (ELD).
Sprague explained that students who report a home language other than English are assessed with the ELPAC and classified into levels 1–4. Students at levels 1 and 2 receive at least two pullout sessions of designated ELD per week; students at higher levels receive integrated ELD in general‑education classrooms unless assessment data shows a specific need.
The presentation noted materials and supports the district currently uses, including CKLA for language arts, Lexia for ELD practice, and district TOSAs to provide designated instruction. Sprague said the ELD TOSA position will not be in place next year; instead, targeted learning lab (TLL) TOSAs from each elementary school will provide the designated instruction during TLL blocks.
Why it matters: Changes to specialist staffing (TOSAs) can affect how, when and by whom designated ELD is delivered. District staff told trustees they will continue professional development and use LCAP funds for training paraprofessionals and teachers.
Trustee questions focused on demographic and home‑language data. Sprague and staff said the home language survey captures which languages adults use with children and the language children first learned, but the district does not collect details about the language in which parents received their own education. The district also described training and subscriptions (including Master Teacher and online curricula) available to paraprofessionals.
What the board heard: - Assessment: ELPAC is used for initial identification and annual summative testing. - Current service model: Pull‑out designated ELD two or more times weekly for levels 1–2; integrated ELD in general instruction for higher levels. - Staffing change: The dedicated ELD TOSA role will not continue; TLL TOSAs will be reassigned to support designated instruction next year.
Next steps: Trustees asked staff for additional data and said they would follow up as staff develops schedules and professional development plans for classified staff and teachers.
