SEI Model Implementation
 

 In December 2019, the Arizona Department of Education approve four new structured English immersion (SEI) models for Arizona's language development approach. The models rely on all teachers sharing the responsibility for the success of English learners based on four principles:

1. English learner (EL) students bring rich linguistic resources and cultural knowledge with them to the school environment. All systems and programs leverage these assets and provide opportunities for students to demonstrate these contributions. All systems and programs align with asset-based behaviors and expectations and provide opportunities and supports to ensure culturally and linguistically sustaining practices for EL students.
2. All educators share the responsibility for designing instruction that integrates language and literacy development with content learning. This is accomplished by using content standards to plan instruction along with the English Language Proficiency Standards to support differentiation by language proficiency level. Through the use of scaffolded supports, academic language development, and collaborative discussions, reading, and writing, educators help students develop disciplinary content knowledge, language, and autonomy.
3. Explicit language instruction is a critical opportunity to intentionally support English learner (EL) students in developing the discourse practices they need to engage with rigorous, grade-level disciplinary content. Just as literacy and language should be integrated into content instruction, so should content and disciplinary practices be integrated into language instruction. Educators use the English Language Proficiency Standards with content material to teach language.
4. Districts and schools use English Language Proficiency Standards, diagnostic tools, formative assessment practices, and summative assessments to measure progress of English learner (EL) students’ language and content knowledge to inform instruction.

 For more details please visit the OELAs website. 

Pull Out Model

• Targeted English instruction daily, 60 minutes in K-5th grade, and 50 minutes in 6th- 12th grade.
• This instruction is based on the Arizona English Language Proficiency standards.
• Integrated English instruction daily, 60 minutes at K-5th grade, and 50 minutes in 6th- 12th grade.
• Instruction is at grade level based on the content area standards with language expectations integrated in the content.

Two Hour Model

• 100 minutes of daily targeted English instruction based on the Arizona English Language Proficiency standards as required for the 6th-12th grade. 
• The remainder of the students’ courses include grade level instruction based on the content area standards with language expectations integrated in the content.
• This model is available at all five DVUSD high schools, Deer Valley Middle School, and Desert Sky Middle School.

English Language Proficiency Standards

According to the Office of English Language Acquisition at the Arizona Department of Education, "The 10 ELP Standards are consistent K-12 and are organized by Mode of Communication (Receptive, Productive, Interactive) with two standards dedicated to Language (one of which is Grammar). The Performance Indicators highlight a strategic set of language skills that are needed by ELs as they develop proficiency in the English language. "

In December of 2019, new ELP standards, with greater alignment to grade level English Language Arts standards were approved by the AZ State Board of Education. In the 2020-21 school year, teachers began implementing the new ELP standards. The AZELLA has changed to reflect these standards changes. For more information please visit the Office of English Language Acquisition Services at ADE on ELP Standards.

Kindergarten

Grade 1

Grades 2-3

Grades 4-5

Grades 6-8

Grades 9-12 

6th-12th Grade Reading Foundation Skills

AZELLA

What is the AZELLA?

The Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) is a standards based assessment that measures students' English language proficiency based on the Arizona English Language Proficiency Standards. The AZELLA is used for placement and reassessment purposes for students who are identified as a second language learner. Students who are placed into an English language learner program will take the AZELLA reassessment once a year until they achieve English proficiency.

Who takes the placement test?

The placement test is administered within the first thirty days of the new school year for students enrolling on or before the first day of school, or within two weeks of enrollment for new students who have another language other than English noted on the school registration form or Home Language Survey and have no prior AZELLA test history.

Who takes the reassessment?

Students who have been identified as an English language learner and students whose parents have refused EL services take the reassessment. Refusal students are tested on the AZELLA until English proficiency has been obtained. 

Handout for parents of babies, toddlers, and children preschool to age 3.

Spanish

French

Arabic

Traditional Chinese

Diné

Korean

Portuguese

Russian

Tagalog

Vietnamese

DVUSD EL Parent Academy

Dear Parents,

We are excited to offer some recorded classes on topics to help you navigate school, help your child at home, provide school/community resources, practice your English and so much more!

Posted videos will include the following information:

Session 1 - EL program information, AZELLA, and campus Specialists    English/Español

Session 2 - School Paperwork:  Registration, Powerschools, Lunch application, school logins, Canvas English/Español

Session 3 - Attendance:  How to call children out when absent, CUTS/attendance procedures English/Español

Session 4 - Resources for home:  Reading- help at home, teacher expectations, reading in home language. English/Español

Session 5 - Internet resources for Math and Reading English/Español

For assistance in Spanish please contact Alda Tennyson at 623-445-4925 or Sylvia Mejia at 623-445-5037.  For assistance in English please contact Beverly Kerr at 623-445-4973.