La Mesa-Spring Valley (LMSV) families bring a variety of languages and cultures to our schools for which we are extremely grateful. We believe the diversity of our student population is a tremendous asset and improves the culture and learning environment of every school campus. We wholeheartedly welcome English Learners (ELs) and their families to our district community, and we’re dedicated to supporting ELs on their journey toward English-language proficiency and high levels of achievement in the grade-level California Content Standards.
English Learner (EL) Program
The La Mesa Spring Valley School District provides an instructional program for English Learners with the goal of developing proficiency in English and in the grade level California Content Standards. As a result, ELs will make appropriate progress through the curriculum as they acquire increasing competence in English. ELs are reclassified as fluent English proficient (FEP after meeting established State and District criteria to ensure that they have demonstrated English-language proficiency and academic achievement comparable to their English speaking peers. The District provides two program options to English Learners—Structured English Immersion(SEI) and Dual Language Immersion(DLI). The instructional setting in which students are placed is based on assessment results and parental preference.
Structured English Immersion Program (SEI)
Students with less than reasonable fluency in English are placed in a Structured English Immersion (SEI) Program unless a parent has requested another program (EC 306). This program requires a properly credentialed teacher and includes daily English Language Development (ELD). Instruction in the core curriculum is designed for each level of English proficiency and may include Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) and/or primary language support. A parent may request to have a student removed from an instructional setting (SEI or DLI) at any time, regardless of language proficiency level. However, the student’s identification as an EL and the school’s duty to assess language proficiency each year until the student is Reclassified as Fluent English Proficient (RFEP), is still required.
Dual Language Immersion (Currently available in Grades K-6)
The Dual Language Immersion program offers English speaking and Spanish speaking students an academically challenging and enriching educational opportunity. The program uses a research-based 50/50 model in which students receive half of their instruction in English and the other half in Spanish. Additionally, all ELs receive ELD instruction until the student is reclassified. All students will learn to read, write and communicate effectively in Spanish and English while achieving high levels of academic success. Students will have the bilingual skills and cross-cultural skills to be prepared for success in our diverse global community. Students retain their first language while acquiring a valuable second language. Participation in Dual Language Immersion is recommended through 6th grade.
New Student Assessment & Identification
When new students register in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, their parents or guardians complete the state-mandated Home Language Survey (see questions below).
- Which language did your child learn when he or she first began to talk?
- What language does your child most frequently use at home?
- What language do you use most frequently to speak to your child?
- Which language is most often spoken by the adults in the home?
If the answer to any of the first three questions on the survey indicates a language other than English, the student is referred to the Language Assessment staff for mandated English testing using the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). Once a student has taken the ELPAC, the results will indicate if they are an English learner with scores of 1) Beginning to Develop; 2) Somewhat Developed; 3)Moderately Developed; or 4) Well Developed. Initial ELPAC testing will occur within 30 school days of initial enrollment, or prior to class placement whenever possible.
Program Placement
You are encouraged to contact the Learning Support Department if you are a new member of our learning community at (619) 668-5700 ext. 6400, and they will assess your child prior to the first day of school. A detailed description of the programs will be presented to you.
