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Title III-A

Melba School District supports students who are learning English so they can become fluent and succeed in all their classes. Our English Learner (EL) program is supported in part by federal Title III, Part A funds, which Melba receives as a member of the District 3 consortium.

How Students Are Identified

When a student enrolls, families complete a home language survey. If the survey shows that a language other than English is spoken at home, the student takes the WIDA screener, a short English language test. The results show whether the student would benefit from English language support and should be identified as an English learner.

How We Support English Learners

Each English learner has an English Language Learning plan and receives accommodations in their regular classes. Depending on the student’s level of need, they may also receive:

  • At Melba Elementary: additional English language support
  • At Melba Jr/Sr High: an English as a Second Language (ESL) class

Each year, English learners take the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs test, which measures their progress in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. Families receive a report of their student’s results every year.

Parents’ Rights

  • You will be notified if your child qualifies as an English learner and is placed in the program.
  • You will receive your child’s WIDA ACCESS results every year.
  • You have the right to decline English learner services by completing a form, available from your child’s school office. Even if you decline services, the school must still help your child learn English and access their classes.
  • You have the right to receive school information in a language you understand, whenever practical.

Contact

Se habla español. Eric Forsgren, Astrid Day, and Ariel Fuentealba speak Spanish and are happy to help families. At Melba Elementary, contact Eric Forsgren or Ariel Fuentealba at (208) 495-2508.

State Resources

Learn more about this program from the Idaho State Department of Education: English Learner Program.