Durango School District 9-R ELD Program Overview
The essential role of a culturally and linguistically responsive English language development (ELD) program is to support students’ learning by helping them build bridges between what they already know and what they still need to learn. Our ELD instructional program builds on students’ diverse cultural strengths and background knowledge and leverages students’ home language(s) as an asset for learning.
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.
In addition to daily direct ELD instruction, all educators in Durango School District 9-R provide English learners with language development support and create ample opportunities for students to expand their language skills throughout the school day.
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 ACCESS testing, please contact Kira Cunningham at 406-285-1630 (se habla español).
ELD Staff:
Kelly von Stroh
Animas Valley Elementary School
Katie Sands
Florida Mesa Elementary School
Mandy McKown
Needham Elementary School
Sue Krichman, Amanda Cricco
Park Elementary School
Darren Cioppa
Riverview Elementary School
Marci Bastin
Sunnyside Elementary School
Michelle Fletcher, Paul Hoffman
Escalante Middle School
Madeline O'Meara
Miller Middle School
Liz Dillman
Durango High School
Kira Cunningham
District English Language Development Specialist
