District reports gains on ACCESS English‑language assessment; 143 students to exit multilingual‑learner status

Lewiston school officials presented preliminary results from the district’s annual ACCESS English‑language proficiency assessment at the June 15 meeting, reporting gains that district staff described as evidence of program progress.

A district presenter said 143 students are exiting multilingual‑learner status this year, up from 118 last year, and that the district issued 32 Seals of Biliteracy — the largest total on record. Staff noted that five of the 143 exits were through alternate ACCESS, designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, and several of those students were served in the district’s CLIMB program.

The presenter described targeted interventions implemented in middle school (grades 6–8), enhanced teacher training on English language development curricula, and reading interventions for newcomers as contributors to higher exit numbers in those grades. "Our exit rate is 7.6% this year which is the highest it’s been in a very long time," a staff member said.

Committee members asked clarifying questions: one asked whether blanks in grade‑level charts meant missing data or lost exams (staff replied blanks indicate there were no students of that grade taking the assessment). Another asked about average time in the program; staff said students typically exit after five to six years in the program.

Officials noted statewide comparisons were not yet available and pledged additional analysis when state data are released. No formal committee action was taken on the report; members offered congratulations and discussed potential program expansions such as peer‑led language supports.