English Language Development (ELD)

Oak Park Unified School District is a culturally and linguistically rich community.  OPUSD uses the term Developing Multilingual Learners in place of English Learners (EL) when identifying our students that are learning the English language. The term Developing Multilingual Learners (DML) highlights the importance of multilingualism and recognizes students’ language skills as an asset and a strength.

OPUSD is dedicated to providing Developing Multilingual Learners with access to academic, social, and cultural instruction and support necessary to attain high levels of proficiency in the use of the English language along with mastery of grade level content area standards. Holding true to our mission to educate compassionate and creative global citizens, our staff works to ensure our Developing Multilingual Learners make appropriate academic progress within a climate of care. 

The Three Year English Learner Master Plan works in conjunction with the district’s goals and the 2024-2027 Local Control and Accountability Plan, OPUSD Board Policy, and State and Federal Guidelines including the California English Learner Road Map. 

The strategic plan provides program guidance and support for our DML students as they acquire English language proficiency and achieve within the academic content standards. The overarching goal of the plan is to ensure appropriate support is provided to enable our DML students to be reclassified as fluent English proficient as quickly as possible.

OPUSD is committed to providing an instructional program that allows DML students to focus on English language acquisition while being nurtured both socially and academically. DML students are ensured access to the core curriculum; supported with mastering grade-level academic content standards, and provided with the cultural knowledge to be successful in school and the community. The DML program supports students’ social and emotional well-being while valuing the cultural and multilingual assets of students and their families. The plan is developed with a focus on future growth and development considering the changing needs of our students and community. The plan highlights the identification, assessment, placement, reclassification, program implementation and evaluation, and parent and family engagement.