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ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

How are Arizona students identified, assessed, placed, and supported as English language learners?

In the state of Arizona, students whose parents/guardians have completed a PHLOTE (Primary Home Language Other Than English) form that indicates a language other than English, or in addition to English, are tested with the AZELLA (Arizona English Language Learner Assessment) to determine their English language proficiency. If the student indicates that he/she is not fluent in English, then he/she is eligible for our school’s English learners program.

All English learner students whose parents/guardians have consented to the English learner program receive daily instruction that is aligned to the Arizona State SEI (Structured English Immersion) Models. The 2019 English Language Proficiency Standards will be the basis for English language instruction. Students will receive two hours of language development instruction on a daily basis. This will include integrated instructional time with their native English-speaking peers, and targeted instructional time with peers with similar language needs.

During the integrated instructional time, all teachers implement SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) teaching techniques, which benefit all students, into their lessons to make content more comprehensible for English learners. Instruction is periodically supplemented through differentiated instruction, such as manipulatives, graphic organizers, word banks, writing journals, language scaffolding, flashcards, and tutoring, tied to our classroom learning texts and materials covered. During the targeted language support time, students will be with their English learner peers and receive direct instruction on their specific language needs.

Arizona law requires materials and instruction to be in English (A.R.S. §15-751. Definitions, 2 and 5). The goal set forth in Arizona law requires schools to teach English using this SEI model (A.R.S. §15-752. English language education). The goal set forth in Arizona law is that English language learners should become English proficient in a period not normally intended to exceed one year (A.R.S. §15-752. English language education).