According to the State of Oregon, Portland Public Schools need to improve the consistency of their services provided to English Language Learners (ELLs). This was determined after an audit of the school district's ELL services. The state noted there had been positive changes since the last review in 2005; however, many of the goals asserted have not been implemented at every school for all students.
Some ELL students are not receiving appropriate instruction in core curriculum areas like science and math, and some are not getting proper English language instruction.
Superintendent Carole Smith said, "We know we have strong practices in some places and not at all in other places. We have to make our best practices systemic. We want all kids to get the same level of quality."
The state praised the district for having a staff that engaged with families whose first language was not English. Yet, it was also noted that schools utilized the district's translation and interpretation services on an inconsistent basis. Furthermore, not all staff are trained regarding the use of services and information is not always available to families in their native languages.
09 February 2009
