English Language Learners (ELL) and International Services
The Seattle Public School District is proud to have the largest English Language Learning student population in the state of Washington. Collectively, our ELL students contribute 108 languages to the total of 143 spoken by families across the district and add a linguistically diverse and multi-cultural richness to our growing district-wide student population. The ELL Department provides a range of services grounded in language acquisition and promotes an understanding that acquiring a second language is necessary and an asset.
Ensuring academic excellence through language acquisition instruction is our primary strategic focus. By focusing on service alignment, an academic delivery model that is grounded in language acquisition through the application of the Common Core State Standards, English Language Proficiency Standards and Next Generation Science Standards we will ensure excellence in every classroom for each ELL student across our 98 schools.
Services
- ELL services in all schools that have state identified ELL students
- Elementary Bilingual Orientation Centers, (EBOCs), Dunlap Elementary, Hawthorne Elementary, and Northgate Elementary
- Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center (SBOC) located at the Seattle World School
- Ten International Schools
- Dual Immersion programs within our International Schools
- Migrant student support
- Refugee student support
- Proyecto Saber - Denny International School, Chief Sealth International School and Ballard High School
- Professional development for teachers, instructional assistants, parents, school leaders and central office staff
- Regional ELL Coaches
- L-4 Exited Funding for extended day programs
- Translation and Interpretation support for ELL students and families
- Student placement testing during the enrollment process and annually
- World language credit for proficiency opportunities
- Staffing of Bilingual Instructional Assistants
Goals
- Meaningful, research based, high quality professional development to all teachers, instructional assistants and school leaders. Course offerings include a basic foundational understanding regarding the new language demands in the Common Core State Standards and English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS). Please refer to the professional development schedule link for course offerings
- Design, implement, and expand services to ensure equity and access for all students
- Ensure compliance of state and federal services
- Establish, develop and sustain a talented, highly skilled, dedicated, and collaborative staff
- Ensure that all resources (money, time, and people) are allocated efficiently and effectively based on student needs and data
- Collaborate meaningfully with district staff, families, communities, and higher education institutions
Current Initiatives
2014-2015 and ongoing areas of focus for our ELL team:
- Service Excellence
- Compliance
- Talent Management
- Resource Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
Resources
ELL Binder
TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES GUIDELINES_2016-2017
Roles and Responsibilities
English Language Proficiency Standards
Professional Development Schedule
World Family Center at Seattle World School (formerly SBOC)
301 21st Ave. E.
Seattle, WA. 98112
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bilingual Facilitators
Teresita Bazan (Spanish) 206-252-2253
Yuan Bai (Mandarin) 206-252-2254
FAX Number: 206-252-2256
Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives
The “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) Act requiresparents of English language learners (ELLs) participating in Washington’s Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP) and/orTitle III programs to be notified each year of Annual MeasurableAchievement Objectives (AMAO) for the school district.
AMAO State Results 14-15
Below is a description of each AMAO target:
AMAO–1: Annual increases in the number or percentage of children making progress in learning English.
AMAO–2: Annual increases in the number or percentage of children attaining English proficiency.
AMAO–3: The number or percentage of students meeting AYP targets in the reading and math ELL cells.