LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Initial Notification of Enrollment in a Secondary Program for English Learners
____________________________________ School
Student name: ______________________________ Birth date: ____________________
Grade: _________
Your responses to the Home Language Survey indicate that your child may communicate in a language other than
English. Based on our initial review, your child may be considered an English learner. As required by law, your
child’s language skills will be assessed in English and the home language.
Please read the parent brochure and view the videotape, “Instructional Programs for English Learners” to learn
about programs for your child. After considering your choices, check the program below that you believe is best for
your child.
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Structured English Immersion Program: Students in this program receive classes in English-as-a-second
language (ESL) and classes in math, science, and history-social science taught nearly all in English with
some primary language support. Students in this program may receive introductory ESL classes in math,
science, and history during the first year to assist them with grade-level classes the following year. This may
delay access to grade-level standards while the student is learning English.
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Alternative Bilingual Programs: Students in bilingual programs receive classes in English-as-a-second
language (ESL) taught in English, and they receive classes in math, science, and history-social science
taught in their home language until they acquire English. As students become more proficient in English,
classes are taught increasingly in English. As a parent of a student ten years of age or older, you have the
right to request a parental exception waiver in order to select the bilingual program descried on the back of
this letter, in the parent brochure, and on the videotape. If you decide your child would learn better in a
bilingual program , fill out a “Parental Exception Waiver” form and return it to the school office in person.
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Mainstream English Program: You have the right to request placement for your child in the mainstream
English program designed for native-English and fluent-English speakers. For this placement, make an
appointment with your school principal or English Learner Program Coordinator.
We invite you to visit our school and to participate in the English Learner Advisory Committee.
Administrator: __________________________________________ Date: _______________________________
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY. THEN SIGN AND RETURN THE ENTIRE LETTER TO SCHOOL:
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I understand the Structured English Immersion Program described above and have made my selection.
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I understand I have the right to apply for a parental exception waiver for the purpose of selecting an
alternative bilingual program. I understand that the school must provide me with a “ Parental Exception
Waiver” form at the time, upon request.
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At this time, I request a “Parental Exception Waiver” form.
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I have read the information above and would like to schedule a parent conference to discuss my child’s
program placement, other program choices, or language test results.
_____________________________________
Parent signature
__________________________
Telephone Number
______________________
Date
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Alternative Bilingual Programs for Secondary English Learners
with English Language Development Levels 1 through 4 (ESL 1A through 2B)
The law requires that English learners be placed in structured English immersion, however, parents of students
age ten or older have the right tot use a parental exception waiver to request an alternative bilingual program
if they believe it would be better for their child. As a parent of a student age ten or older, you may select the
following bilingual program designed to meet the language and academic needs of English learners.
Basic Bilingual Program: Bilingual teachers in the Basic Program use the home language to teach
language arts, math, science and history-social while your child learns English. As students gain proficiency
in English, teachers gradually increase instruction in English using special methods until students are ready
for mainstream English. Instructional materials written in English and the home language are used. The
program offers the following:
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A sequential program of English-as-a-second language (ESL) taught daily in English
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Grade-level language arts taught in the student’s home language while a student t is at the
beginning and intermediate ESL levels, and then in English when the student is at the advanced
ESL level.
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Grade-level math, science, and history-social science taught:
- in the home language while the student is in Beginning ESL 1AB
- gradually increasing instruction English an decreasing instruction in the home language
while the student is in Intermediate ESL 2AB
- using special methods in English while the student is in Advanced ESL 3 / 4
- using mainstream English when the student attains proficiency in English
Program availability will depend upon the number of student s requesting and receiving waivers. When only a
few parents request and receive a waiver, your child may have to transfer to a neighboring school to receive the
requested program. Your school principal will advise you of program availability, and your need to provide
transportation.
According to the law, waivers must be requested annually and in person. Waivers shall be granted unless the
school principal and educational staff have determined that an alternative program offered at the school would
not be better suited for the overall educational development of the student.
All parent exception waivers shall be acted upon by the school within twenty (20) instructional days of
submission to the school principal.
In cases where a parental exception waiver is denied, the parents and guardians must be informed in writing of
the reasons for denial and advised that they may appeal the decision using the District’s appeal process.
At any time, including during the school year, a parent or guardian may have his or her child moved into an
English language mainstream classroom.