English Learner population rising; district outlines supports and program models

The board received the annual English Learner (EL) report from Megan, who summarized state trends and local implications.

Megan said the Seaside district mirrors statewide EL trends but has a higher proportion of students who have ever been EL: about 25% of students have been EL at some point, above the statewide 19% ever-EL rate. She reported 47 recent arrivals (students in the country less than two years) in the prior year and noted that a majority of English learners across Oregon—and in Seaside—are Latino.

The district uses multiple instructional models including elementary pull-out EL lessons, integrated EL strategies in general classrooms and dedicated ELD class periods at the middle and high school levels. Megan stressed that language acquisition for academic proficiency can take several years and that current data show the percentage of EL students on track to proficiency drops substantially between elementary school and high school (from roughly 62% in elementary to 27.9% in high school in prior-year data).

Board members asked about resource needs, course placement and how EL students factor into the district's SB 141 "focal group" planning. Staff said they will provide updated counts after state data are finalized (data used in the report were 2024–25 confirmed figures) and emphasized ongoing professional development for teachers in integrated EL practices.