English learners: We serve a large number of children with limited language skills

Canyon County and Nampa are home to a thriving population of Spanish-language speakers, who have a rich culture and celebrated history in our community. This means that our schools serve large percentage of students who arrive without the English language skills needed to be successful in school.

Educating students with limited English skills
2006-07	No. of students with limited English skills	% of students
Nampa	1,719	10%
State	18,623	7%
Boise	1,847	7%
Caldwell	1,211	20%
Meridian	1,368	4%
Vallivue	955	15%
Source: Idaho State Board of Education 2007-08 Limited English Proficient student count. Idaho State Department of Education 2008 Fall Enrollment.

We welcome students who speak languages other than English in all of our schools and hold them to the same challenging standards set for all students.

We also embrace the goal of working to ensure these students become fluent in English.

Like other districts with large populations of students who do not know English, we are reviewing the latest research to find the best materials, methods, and strategies to help these students find success.

We provide extra attention, translators, research-based instructional materials, textbooks, and other services to help these students.

In 2007-08, we launched a new dual language school called “New Horizons” that allows Spanish speaking and English speaking children to learn in both languages together. These students will stay together throughout their elementary school career.

Students who are not fluent in English are required to take state tests. Because the tests are not provided in the student’s native language, the results often can provide a distorted view of the student’s actual achievement.

We are making positive gains both in helping these students become fluent in English and assisting them in catching up to their English-speaking peers. We measure the progress of this effort on state language tests.