Fowler Unified School District is celebrating the achievement of reclassifying 104 multilingual students in the 2022-23 school year. Reclassification signifies proficiency in more than one language, marking a significant milestone for our students. English learners (ELs) in Transitional Kindergarten through grade twelve initially take the Initial English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPAC) to assess reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. To be reclassified as fluent English proficient, our students must score a 4 on the ELPAC, obtain teacher and parent approval, and meet a qualifying score on a secondary assessment. Fowler Unified is committed to continued growth and success in the upcoming 2023/24 school year.
Interim ELPAC Assessment:
The new Interim English Language Proficiency Assessment (Interim ELPAC) is now accessible to districts statewide, including Fowler Unified School District. Excited about its benefits, the exam offers a real-time assessment of students’ English language proficiency. This tool provides teachers with a mid-year snapshot of language development, enabling them to tailor instruction, offer specific support, and enhance preparations for success in the year-end Summative ELPAC.
Dedicated Support to English Learner Students:
Fowler Unified School District prioritizes multilingual learner success with a comprehensive support system. This academic year, elementary sites added English language support teachers for personalized attention in language proficiency development, complementing daily ELD lessons. Secondary students receive crucial instruction from ELD teachers for academic achievement and language proficiency, along with integrated language support in content courses.
Teamwork
Fowler Unified is eager to expand its multilingual learners programs in the 2023/24 school year. Recognizing the need for collaborative efforts to enhance student success, the district is forming a dedicated multilingual team with Curriculum and Instruction Specialists. Their focus on building language proficiency aims to increase the number of students demonstrating proficiency.