Purpose
Auburn School District places a high value on the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of our students and families. Over 100 different languages are spoken in the homes of our students and over 40% of our students utilize multiple languages in their daily lives.
The goal of the Multilingual Learner Program is to accelerate development of English language proficiency through grade level content while promoting the value and continued development of home languages.
Program Model in Elementary
Students who qualify for support in grades K-5 receive instruction in general education classes by teachers using appropriate strategies for accelerating language development. In addition, students in the earlier stages of English language development receive direct support one or more periods per day from EL/DL endorsed ML teachers. This support model is called Supportive Mainstream.
Program Model in Secondary
Students who qualify for support in grades 6-12 receive instruction in general education classes by teachers using appropriate strategies for accelerating language development. In addition, students in the earlier stages of English language development receive direct language development instruction and content instruction at the same time, in classes taught by EL/DL endorsed teachers. These include such content areas as ELA, Social Studies, and Science. This support model is called Content ESL.
Eligibility for ML Services
All students registering for school in Washington complete a Home Language Survey. If this survey indicates that the student's primary language or home language is something other than English, the student will be assessed using a test called the WIDA Screener. This initial assessment will be used to measure the English language proficiency level of new students whose first language is a language other than English.
Annual Testing
All students who are eligible for support through the ML Program will participate in the WIDA ACCESS test each spring to determine continued eligibility. Students whose WIDA ACCESS score indicates an English proficiency levels consistent with high levels of success in school may be exited from the program. Students with significant cognitive delays may participate in an alternative assessment called WIDA Alt ACCESS.
Assessment
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WIDA Screener
WIDA Screener is an English language proficiency assessment given to new students in grades K–12 to help educators identify whether they qualify for support through the ML program. It is a flexible, on-demand assessment that can be administered at any time during the school year.
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WIDA Access
The annual WIDA ACCESS assessment is an online or paper annual assessment given to ML students who qualify for English language development (ELD) services through the WIDA Screener. The annual assessment measures students' English language proficiency, both knowledge and skills, in reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Results from this test determine which students remain eligible to continue receiving ELD services.
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WIDA Alt Access
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs (Alternate ACCESS) is a large-print, paper-based test individually administered to students in Grades 1-12 who are in the ML Program and have significant cognitive disabilities. Alternate ACCESS is intended for students in the ML Program who participate, or who would be likely to participate, in their state's alternate content assessment(s).
Elementary (PreK-5)
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Dual Language Program at Pioneer Elementary (only)
High School (Grades 6-12)
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After school programs offered at Auburn Mountainview (only)