Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the EL Program topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Arcadia Unified presents redesigned English Learner program, shows rising multilingual enrollment
Summary
District leaders told the board Nov. 12 that English learners make up about 14% of enrolled students while multilingual learners account for roughly 53%; the district described expanded ELD staffing, a Rancho Learning Center pilot for high‑school newcomers and reclassification supports.
District EL leaders presented a multi‑part study session Nov. 12 outlining identification, instructional structures and supports for English learners across Arcadia Unified.
Presenters explained the district uses the home language survey and initial ELPAC to identify students for ELD services. "When a student is exposed to any other language other than English, then students are prompted for Initial ELPAC testing," a district presenter said during the session. The presentation noted the district's current multilingual population is about 53% and that English learners represent about 14% of the student body.
Staff broke the program into integrated and designated ELD: integrated supports are embedded in content classes while designated ELD provides focused language instruction during protected time. Kim LaValla (presenter) summarized classroom scaffolds and supports, noting elementary sites each have a full‑time ELD teacher and that middle and high schools provide structured designated classes and sheltered content courses for lower‑proficiency students.
The district described the Rancho Learning Center, a hybrid program for newcomers at the high school level that provides intensive language instruction and an accelerated pathway to meet A‑G requirements. Staff said the Rancho option is opt‑in and typically functions as a one‑year transition pathway back into the comprehensive high school.
Student voices were played during the session to illustrate classroom experience: one student said, "I like ELD because it's fun and I learn how to read better than last time." Board members asked about class sizes, supports for teachers as EL enrollment grows, and how data flags (a PowerSchool 'LTEL' alert) will be used to identify at‑risk long‑term ELs. Staff said classes are generally kept small (roughly 11–15 students in ELD 1) and that principals and counselors review schedules and adjust staffing at semester breaks.
Board members praised the redesign and said they would visit ELD classrooms in January.
