The Olympia School District Multilingual Learner Program
The Olympia School District values multilingualism and views the cultural and linguistic diversity of our students as an asset that makes each classroom, school, and the whole district stronger, more innovative and better prepared for a global society. Our staff is committed to providing high quality education programs designed to ensure students from all backgrounds are served in an equitable and inclusive environment. Classroom teachers provide students with meaningful access to grade level curricula throughout the school day as students acquire the English language skills needed to achieve their full academic potential. Multilingual Learner (ML) program staff serve each eligible student by providing individualized language support designed to ensure ML students acquire full English proficiency as quickly and effectively as possible.
ML Services Facts
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About 4% of the total student population (approximately 400 students) qualify for Multilingual services.
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ML students are enrolled in 17 of the district’s K-12 schools.
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Our students come from various cultures and speak over 25 different languages including Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese, which are the most prevalent.
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Over 55% of our ML students showed progress toward or reached English language proficiency in 2024, growing 5% from 2022-2023. (OSPI Report Card, 2024)
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Our district has one of the highest transition rates in the state. In 2024, 11% of our ML students achieved English language proficiency. (8.4% state average/OSPI Report Card, 2024)
How does a student qualify for the District's ML Services?
In Washington state, the qualification process for being served by ML Services begins when a parent or guardian enrolls their child and completes a Home Language Survey. If the returned survey indicates that a language other than English was the first language learned or is currently used by the student, then his/her English language proficiency must be assessed. The WIDA language screener is used to determine initial eligibility for the ML program. The WIDA (World Class Instructional Design and Assessment) is the annual language proficiency test used in Washington schools that measures a student’s English language knowledge and skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Continued eligibility is based on the annual WIDA ACCESS summative assessment. For additional information regarding the WIDA ACCESS please visit the website at https://wida.wisc.edu/
Family Guide to the WIDA ACCESS: What is the WIDA ACCESS?
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The WIDA ACCESS assessment system measures a student’s proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, listening to, and understanding English.
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At the end of each school year, all designated MLs are required to take the WIDA ACCESS summative assessment, including students who have waived ML Services. Results from that assessment are used to determine whether a student still qualifies to receive Multilingual Services or whether a student has achieved a sufficient level of proficiency in English so they no longer need support and will exit ML Services.
WIDA ACCESS EXIT CRITERIA
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Grade Level
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Minimum Overall Score
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K-1
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4.0
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2-12
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4.7
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Students in kindergarten and grade 1 who score at least a 4.0 will exit ELD services
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Students in grades 2-12 who score at least a 4.7 overall will exit ELD services.
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Students in grades 2-12 who score between a 4.3 and 4.6 and earn a level 3 or 4 on the ELA portion of the SBA test can also exit ELD services
This year, the WIDA ACCESS and WIDA ALT will be administered Monday, January 27 through March 24, 2025. Please check with your child’s ML Specialist for specific dates.
ML Service Models
Supportive Mainstream is the language instruction model used most often in the Olympia School District. Under this model, classes are taught in English by content teachers that differentiate or modify lessons making them comprehensible for all students. Since ML students are expected to meet the same high academic standards as their native English speaking peers, it is important that they have access to all subject matter covered in their classrooms throughout the school day.
Each eligible ML student is assigned to a teacher endorsed in English as a Second Language (ELL/ESL). ML Specialists are responsible for designing an individual language learning plan as well as evaluating and monitoring the language proficiency and academic progress of each of their assigned ML students throughout the year. The ML Specialists collaborate regularly with classroom teachers to ensure the language accommodation requirements of ML students are met. Varying levels of support are provided depending on the individual student needs, grade level, and stage of language development or English language proficiency. Some examples of language support include:
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Push-in support: ML para-professionals provide supplemental language support to help students understand classroom routines, expectations, and core content. (for Newcomers)
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Team teaching/Co-teaching: the classroom teacher and the ML teacher work together to provide language support and core content simultaneously.
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Professional Development and collaboration for, and with, teachers of ML students to use language scaffolds in general education classrooms
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Sheltered English classes: Capital High School, Olympia High School, Washington Middle School, Jefferson Middle School, and Thurgood Marshall Middle School offer an English Language Development (ELD) class taught by ML teachers to qualifying ML students. OHS and CHS both offer credit-bearing sheltered English ELA classes.
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Extended Day programs: ML staff offer additional opportunities for language and/or literacy support before school or after school in a “homework club” type of environment at many schools.
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Extended year services: ML program provides supplemental support and tuition for students enrolled in the district’s high school summer school program.
Multilingual Services Staff
Heather Randolph: Director of Multilingual Services and Categorical Programs
[email protected]
Alexandra Moffatt: ML Para-educator at OHS
Alison Eastlake: ML Specialist at RMS and WMS
Andrea Cornfeld: ML Specialist/Teacher at GES, HES
Ben Leierer: ML Specialist/Teacher at CHS
Cara Preuss ML Specialist/Teacher at BHES, CES, LES, McKES, McLES
Chelsea Peterson: ML Specialist/Teacher at OHS
Gustavo Portaro Moran: ML Para-educator at CHS
Jill Cross: ML Para-educator at WMS, GES, HES
Jose Arguelles: ML Para-educator at JMS
Jue Lu: ML Para-educator at CHS
Karen Cleveland: ML Para-educator at WMS, RMS
Lamia Murphy: ML Para-educator at BHES, CES, LES, McKES, McLES
Megan Rodriguez: ML Specialist/Teacher at TMMS
Margaret Arnett: ML Specialist/Teacher JMS
Marie Rubin: ML Specialist/Teacher at OHS
Santiago Armenta Rangel: ML Para-educator at TMMS
Tiffahni Ellison: ML Specialist/Teacher at LPBrown, PES, ORLA, RES, MES
Xiaona Quinn: ML Para-educator at OHS
For more information about ML Services and staff, contact the Teaching and Learning Department located in the Knox Administrative Center at:
111 Bethel Street NE.
Olympia, WA 98506
Phone 596-7540
Additional Information and Resources
Parent Involvement
Parents can support their child’s education in a number of ways:
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Help your child maintain their native language by continuing to speak and read stories with your children in your language. Knowing more than one language is a skill to be valued and encouraged. Learning and speaking multiple languages does not cause a language delay, but rather leads to greater cognitive skills.
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Encourage your child to pursue biliteracy by learning to read and write proficiently in your language.
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Studies have shown that when children continue to learn their native language, it makes the process of learning English easier.
Interpretation/Translation Services
Under state and federal law, all parents have the right to information about their child’s education in a language they can understand.
Title IV Regulations | Chapter 28A.642 RCW | Chapter 392-190 WAC
For requests to speak with a school staff member, please complete the form below in your language and give it to the school's front office staff. If a language you need is unavailable, please contact Heather Randolph at [email protected].
To learn about the district interpretation and translation support please visit our Language Access page.
Transitional Bilingual Instructional and Title III Programs
The State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP) is part of the Washington’s Basic Education Act-Chapter 28A.180 RCW. The federal Title III program supports supplemental instruction and services for language acquisition. Both programs provide funds to districts throughout the state to ensure equal educational opportunities for students from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds. The goal of these programs is to develop language proficiency that enables meaningful access to grade level curricula and instruction. For more information visit: State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program.
Washington State Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy was created to recognize the importance of learning a second language for all students whether English is their first language or not. Students who speak, read and write a language other than English can earn world language credits in high school by demonstrating proficiency on nationally recognized assessments. When a student is awarded the Seal of Biliteracy, it is noted on the student’s diploma and high school transcript. For more information on the Seal of Biliteracy visit: Washington State Seal of Biliteracy.
Tests for STAMP are offered twice a year (Fall and Spring) at both CHS and OHS, and by appointment for AHS and ORLA. Contact your school counselor or Heather Randolph at [email protected] for more information.