Durango School District 9-R ELD Program Overview
Our ELD instructional program builds on students’ diverse cultural strengths and background knowledge and leverages students’ home language(s) as an asset for learning throughout the day.
While we build on students’ multilingual assets, our instructional program is considered an “All-English” program. Direct English language and literacy instruction is provided by certified ELD staff. All eligible students receive daily literacy-based ELD instruction grounded in rich and meaningful language and text from across the content areas. Our ELD programs are interactive and develop students’ proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing simultaneously. ELD teachers use data to tailor instruction and set/monitor goals.
As a school district, we value the role multilingual and multicultural families play in their child’s education. We recognize how important it is for parents to continue using their primary language(s) at home to help students continue to develop language and literacy skills and background knowledge. We strive to partner with families as we collaboratively support their child’s academic growth and success.
ACCESS for ELLS:
During the months of January and February, all English language learners take a state assessment called ACCESS for ELLs®. ACCESS is a English language proficiency test which allows us to monitor students’ English language acquisition progress on an annual basis.
Each spring, parents receive a Parent/Guardian Report which shows their child’s results on ACCESS including their English language proficiency level and areas of strength. At the school and district level we use ACCESS information for staffing and program decisions and to help provide the best ELD services for each student.
For questions about eligibility for the district ELD program or about ACCESS testing, please contact Kira Cunningham at 406-285-1630 (se habla español).
ELD Staff:
Lauren Pietrack
Animas Valley Elementary School
Katie Sands
Florida Mesa Elementary School
Jenny Christensen
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary
Mandy McKown, Jenny Christensen
Needham Elementary School
Sue Krichman, Sarah Brown
Park Elementary School
Darren Cioppa
Riverview Elementary School
Jenny Christensen
Sunnyside Elementary School
Michelle Fletcher, Paul Hoffman
Escalante Middle School
Dylan Netter
Big Picture High School
Liz Dillman, Dylan Netter
Durango High School
Kira Cunningham
District English Language Development Specialist
