English Learner

The West Valley School District English Learner Program is designed to provide academic services to English language learners (ELLs) while they learn English.  ELLs are students whose language backgrounds are other than English and whose proficiency is not yet developed to the point where they can profit fully from English-only instruction. Our goal is that students will meet challenging learning standards and develop English language proficiency in an environment where language and cultural assets are recognized as valuable resources to learning. 

The most common languages in WVSD are Spanish, Russian, Marshallese, Vietnamese, and Arabic. Currently, there are over 160 active students, K-12, enrolled in the ELL program. 

When a student enrolls in one of our schools...

Parents are provided a “Home Language Survey” and asked “What language did your child first learn to speak?” and “What language does your child use the most at home?” If the answer to either question is a language other than English, one of the ELL Specialists administers the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA21) Screener. Students who score at Levels 1 (Beginning/Advanced Beginning), 2 (Intermediate), or 3 (Advanced) on the Placement Test qualify for additional support to acquire and or improve their English language.

Students continue in the program as long as they need help developing needed skills in order to access core curriculum. Continuing within the ELL program is based on the results of the state assessment, ELPA21.

Students successfully transition from the ELL program when they meet the exit criteria of Proficient (L4-L5) on ELPA21 The school district provides additional academic support to students who need it for two years after scoring at a level 4/5 or Proficient and exiting from the program. Parents/guardians and classroom teachers or school counselors are encouraged to contact one of the ELL Specialists to review the transitional or Proficient student’s academic progress and needs for additional services. 

Our Certified EL Support staff have successful classroom experience and are endorsed in ELL content & evidence based pedagogy. Our classified ELL Specialists are all highly trained with many years of teaching/support experience.  They are able to support students and parents/guardians with English, Russian, and Spanish. Whenever needed, access interpretation/translation for most of the primary home languages of our parents/guardians through regional contacts, community agencies, universities, other school districts, or online support through Pacific Interpreters.

For assistance, contact our English Language Resource Line at [email protected] or call (509) 340-7234.