English Learners
The goal of English Learner programs is to prepare students for graduation and a successful life through identification, placement, and targeted academic support. We support students with academic English and English Language Development (ELD) instruction. Students may participate in bilingual, newcomer, and migrant programs, along with a variety of services.
English Learners Report 2019-20
Identification of ELs
SKPS follows the Oregon Department of Education’s identification procedure for all English Learners (EL). The Language Use Survey (LUS) is completed by the parent/guardian upon a student’s enrollment in Salem Keizer Public Schools. The information the parent/guardian provides on the LUS determines if an ELPA screener (language proficiency assessment) will be administered with the student. Student performance on the ELPA screener determines whether or not the student is identified as an English Learner and would benefit from ELD services.
Questions? Please contact:
Cheryl Bennett, Language Services Coordinator
503-399-3456
Karen Macdonald, K-12 ESOL Program Associate
503-399-1025
Program Models
Dual Language Immersion
K-12 program made up of native English, native Spanish, and bilingual speakers.
Goal of the program is for all students, regardless of primary language, to become bilingual and biliterate, achieve academic success, and develop socio-cultural competence.
- Subjects taught in Spanish and English, beginning with most instruction in Spanish and moving to balanced amounts of instruction in Spanish and English.
- All subjects taught using sheltered instructional strategies
- Students receive English Language Development (ELD) instruction
- Teachers hold bilingual and ESOL endorsements
- Spanish bilingual instructional assistant support when available
Karen Perez, K-12 Dual Language Program Associate
503-399-2637
Monique Aguilar, K-12 Dual Language Program Associate
503-399-2637
Transitional Biliteracy
K-5 program for Spanish-speaking emerging bilinguals
Goal of the program is for emerging bilingual students to become bilingual and biliterate and to achieve academic success.
- Literacy taught in Spanish and English
- All subjects taught using sheltered instructional strategies
- Students receive English Language Development (ELD) instruction
- Teachers with bilingual and ESOL endorsements
- Bilingual instructional assistant support when available
Guillermina Romo, Elementary Literacy Program Associate
503-399-2637
English for Speakers of Other Languages
K-12 program for emerging bilinguals
Goal of the program is for all students, regardless of primary language, to acquire the academic English skills needed to achieve academic success.
- All subjects taught in English
- All subjects taught using sheltered instructional strategies
- Students receive English Language Development (ELD) instruction
- Bilingual instructional assistant support when available
Jessica Schmidt, Elementary Language Acquisition Program Associate
503-399-2637
Leslie Stewart, Elementary Language Acquisition Program Associate
503-399-2637
Colleen Jones, Secondary ELD/Newcomer Program Associate
503-399-3075
Secondary Newcomer
6-12 program for emerging bilinguals that are recent arrivers to the United States
Goals of the program are for all students, regardless of primary language, to acquire the academic English skills needed to achieve academic success, and receive the social/emotional support necessary for successfully adjusting to a new country.
- All subjects taught using sheltered instructional strategies
- Teachers with ESOL endorsement
- Students receive English Language
Karen Macdonald, K-12 ESOL Program Associate
503-399-1025
Colleen Jones, Secondary ELD/Newcomer Program Associate
503-399-3075
English Language Development (ELD)
Elementary ELD
ELD is taught by the classroom teacher, with instruction in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The focus during ELD is production of oral and written English. The ELD curriculum is aligned to literacy standards.
Contact: Jessica Schmidt, Elementary ELD Program Associate
503-399-2637
Secondary ELD
ELD Class: A stand-alone class for English Learners provided at their proficiency level. The teacher uses the English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards to guide instruction in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Integrated: An integrated content class for English Learners. In this model of ELD instruction, the ELD teacher works in cooperation with the content teacher to teach the English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards along with the curriculum.
Colleen Jones, Secondary ELD Program Associate
503-399-3075
Parents have the option to waive EL services at any time. Students who are on waivers are still required to take the ELPA summative assessment.
Contact: Leslie Stewart, K-12 ESOL Program Associate
503-399-1035
Exiting Services
SKPS uses ELPA summative results to determine English proficiency. A student who is an English Learner exits EL services when they score a combination of 4s and 5s in reading, writing, listening, and speaking on the ELPA. Students who are English Learners receiving special education services exit when they score 4s or 5s in the domains assessed as per their IEP.
Monitoring
All students who score proficient on ELPA are then monitored for 4 years to ensure that academic language is not a barrier to achievement.
English Language Support Staff
