At the elementary level, content-based and supportive mainstream modes are used. Teachers in mainstream classes are supported by ML staff in their buildings and district facilitators in the inclusion of ML students within core curriculum to provide comprehensible input for these learners.  Renton School District trains its teachers in the SIOP method of instruction to ensure their instruction is accessible to ML students. ML staff provide direct instruction to students and work in a consultant role to support mainstream teachers through a variety of means, such as co-teaching, lesson planning, push-in supports, modeling, and participating within PLCs.

 

Kindergarten Multilingual Learner

Kindergarten students are served in the language-rich classroom by their general education kindergarten teacher. Renton School District trains its teachers in the SIOP method of instruction to ensure their instruction is accessible to ML students. The ML staff provides support to the Kindergarten teachers as needed to develop appropriate strategies for MLs within the kindergarten program. Students in Kindergarten can start pull-out groups in January based on language needs.

 

 

At the secondary level, content-based and supportive mainstream modes are used. Renton School District trains its teachers in the SIOP method of instruction to ensure their instruction is accessible to ML students.

 

In grades 6-12, students are placed in ML classes in one of four levels: Newcomer, Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced. ML students are also placed in mainstream elective and core content area courses. ML students may repeat an ML class as necessary.  All intermediate and advanced level students also receive a general education Language Arts credit.

 

In grades 9-12 credits earned in ML classes are applied toward graduation requirements. ML students are also placed in mainstream elective and core content area courses. ML students may repeat an ML class as necessary. Students will be matriculated into the regular classroom as soon as possible, with a full-day regular education program being the ultimate goal. Students take classes to obtain credit to work towards high school graduation starting in 9th grade. 

 

Newcomer

This is a year-long course that focuses on English language acquisition. Students are enrolled concurrently in 2-3 class periods per day. Students learn basic English language skills to be able to communicate and participate within their general education classes.

 

Beginner 

This is a year-long course that focuses on English language acquisition. Students are enrolled concurrently in two class periods per day focusing on English Language instruction to develop skills to comprehend and communicate in reading, writing, listening, and speaking using the English language.

 

Intermediate Language Arts-ML

This is a two-trimester course (HS), yearlong course (MS) that focuses on English language acquisition. Students are enrolled in one class period per day. This course emphasizes and develops English language skills within the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Note: In high school, students are enrolled in “Intermediate Language Arts- ML” for language arts credits in trimesters 1 and 2, and in “Language and Literacy ML Support- Intermediate” for elective credit in trimester 3 (optional).

 

Advanced Language Arts-ML

This is a two-trimester  course (HS), yearlong course (MS) that focuses on English language acquisition. This course makes provision for further development of English language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Note: In high school, students are enrolled in "Advanced Language Arts-ML" for language arts credits in trimesters 1 and 2, and in "Language and Literacy ML Support-Advanced" for elective credit in trimester 3 (optional).