Parents or guardians may choose a language acquisition program that best suits their child. Language acquisition programs are educational programs designed to ensure English acquisition occurs as rapidly and effectively as possible. They provide instruction to English learners based on the state-adopted academic content standards, including English Language Development (ELD) Standards. IUSD offers two programs, Newcomer and Structured English Immersion.
Schools in which the parents or guardians of 30 students or more per school or the parents or guardians of 20 students or more in any grade request a language acquisition program that is designed to provide language instruction shall be required to offer such a program to the extent possible.
Newcomer Program
A language acquisition program for Novice English learners in which nearly all classroom instruction is provided in English, but with substantial support in all curriculum and presentations. Students are provided with Designated ELD and access to grade level academic subject matter content with Integrated ELD.
- Recommended instructional setting for students at the Emerging (beginning) level of English proficiency as determined by the English Language Assessments for California (ELPAC).
- Coursework is aligned with the CA English Language Arts (ELA), History/Social Studies, Math, and Science standards.
- Students receive substantial support through integrated and designated language development instruction based on the CA ELD Standards.
- A variety of instructional strategies and specialized materials are used to facilitate conceptual understanding, language acquisition, and literacy skill development.
- Classrooms may include English learners of varying ages and grades but whose level of English proficiency is similar.
- Once students attain an appropriate level of English proficiency as determined by established exit criteria, they transition to the regular instructional program at their home schools.
- Program participation is typically one year but may vary based on a student’s progress toward acquiring the level of English proficiency required for exit.
Structured english immersion (sei)
A language acquisition program in which nearly all classroom instruction is provided in English, but with curriculum and a presentation designed to support students who are learning English. At minimum, students are offered Designated ELD and provided access to grade level academic subject matter content with Integrated ELD.
- Grade level subject matter content is delivered in a manner that is accessible to all learners.
- Students receive the appropriate instructional support (substantial, moderate or light) so they might access grade level content and master grade level standards
- Coursework is aligned with the CA English Language Arts (ELA), History/Social Studies, Math, and Science standards.
- A variety of instructional strategies and specialized materials are used to facilitate conceptual understanding, language acquisition, and literacy development.