As pursuant to the Colorado Department of Education’s Guidebook on Designing, Delivering, and Evaluating Services for English Learners (ELs), BV Schools uses a structured immersion English Language Development model and recently implemented a Newcomers program. The following guide BV School Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) programming:
1. Direct English language and literacy instruction by certified ESL staff;
2. School-wide plan optimizing instruction for ELs that is embedded into staff development;
3. Identification of key concepts and vocabulary;
4. Widespread use of hands-on activities, visual aids, and repetition;
5. Scaffolding lessons to achieve communicative competence;
6. School or community resources that allow students to work with speakers of the native language;
7. Suggestions to parents for use of primary language at home to aid in accessing underlying conceptual content knowledge.
Seal of Biliteracy
In August 2023, the Board of Education approved a seal of biliteracy for eligible graduates. The Board values the attainment of proficiency in language and will award students a graduation certificate for students who demonstrate proficiency in two languages as defined by Colorado Department of Education and Buena Vista Board of Education.
