Assessing their needs

Torus Tammer

Twenty-two years ago, the Ocean View school district recognized the

need to create a program tailored specifically for the children of its

increasingly diverse ethnic community.

The idea behind the program was to help teachers identify students’

English capabilities earlier by assessing them before school started.

Ultimately, the program would help to make the job of teaching a little

easier.

Today, the program has evolved into the English Learners Program and

has become a crucial part of the district’s educational fabric. It

assesses about 450 students on average in the 3 1/2 weeks before school

starts.

When a family who speaks more than one language registers at a school,

state law requires an assessment of the student’s English level, said

Mary Ann Kelly, the district’s program supervisor.

“Our job here at the Assessment Center is to evaluate a child’s

capabilities before school starts,” she said. “It’s easier to select the

right program for a child when the school, the principal and the teachers

are aware of their level of English.”

Riaz Ahmed’s 11-year-old son, Furqan, was born in Pakistan and came to

the United States with his family when he was 5. Furqan will attend Vista

View, so he is having his English skills assessed.

Ahmed said this is the first time his son will be attending a public

school, and both he and his wife are pretty nervous.

“The private school he attended up until fifth grade had a lot of

religious teaching involved,” Ahmed said. “It’s a new atmosphere

altogether, and it’s challenging for us because he will be in an open

atmosphere. It will be a trial for him and us, but he’s looking forward

to it.”

The assessments take place at Oak View Elementary School. There,

parents receive a copy of a letter in their native language that explains

what their child’s English language abilities are. Then, a copy of that

assessment goes to the child’s teacher.

The assessments help to determines which types of classroom services

could assist the child.

“We have instructional aides that work with the teachers using special

strategies and techniques when necessary,” Kelly said. “Although all our

programs are in English, we do provide bilingual aides for our real

limited students.”

Kelly said parents are often more nervous than the child on the first

day of school, particularly mothers.

Lorena Gonzalez said that was true for her. She recently accompanied

her daughter Melissa to the Assessment Center, where she recounted her

experience with her now-8-year-old daughter, Michelle.

“With Michelle, it felt really strange,” Gonzalez said. “I was nervous

because I didn’t know what to expect and was worried. But I got used to

it, and now I’m excited for Melissa to start kindergarten.”

Kindergarten registration ends Tuesday, the day before classes begin.

Immunization services will be provided by a staff health technician

beginning Friday.