Almost 1,300 English Language Learners Honored

Learning to speak, read and write in academic English is critical to student success, and English is often cited as one of the most challenging languages for non-native speakers to master. So it was with a deep sense of pride in their achievement that almost 1,300 Moreno Valley Unified (MVUSD) students learning English as a second language were reclassified as “Fluent English Proficient.” Approximately 800 elementary students were honored as Fluent English Proficient at two ceremonies recently held at Moreno Valley High School. Middle- and high-school reclassified students are honored at their schools. The 1,282 students are the largest cohort ever reclassified in a single year at MVUSD, a three-percent increase from last year. They represent almost 16 percent of the district’s total 8,300 English Language Learner students. Significantly, almost 800 of the newly English-proficient students are still in elementary school. “The earlier a student becomes English-proficient, the more likely she or he is to fulfill graduation and college A-G requirements,” explained Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services Dr. Martinrex Kedziora. “So we’re especially excited about the success our students are having learning English at the elementary level.” Dr. Kedziora attributes much of the increase in the number of reclassifications this year, and the district’s special success with younger English learners, to a greater emphasis on high-frequency academic English vocabulary. “We don’t just teach students English and hope they somehow pick up the academic language,” he said. “We’re very intentional when it comes to teaching students the vocabulary they need to succeed in an academic setting.” School Board President Tracey B. Vackar praised both staff and students on their achievement. “When a student becomes English-proficient, it also means he or she is now bilingual and bi-literate, which is a tremendous advantage, both at school and college and at work. As a School Board, we couldn’t be more proud of our students’ and staff’s success.”