Bilingual Program

The bilingual program is offered to students who qualify for English Language Learner services. Students whose primary language is not English take a placement test that measures English language proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

The Zillah School District bilingual program follows the sheltered instruction, content based approach.  English language learners work to meet state standards and develop English proficiency in an environment where language and culture are recognized as valuable resources for learning.

Student progress is assessed annually by the WLPT2 (Washington Language Proficiency Test). English Language Learners are “English proficient” when they achieve the transitional level of competency; and no longer require bilingual services.

AMAO DISTRICT SUMMARY FOR SY 2008-2009

 AMAO 2 sets different targets for percent transitioning based upon initial placement level and length of participation. The sum of the deviations from these specific standards must equal or exceed zero to meet AMAO 2. See AMAO District Summary (Excel File) download for details.

Migrant Education Program - Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

This program was created by Congress in 1966 to assist the migrant students who were among the most educationally disadvantaged students in the nation.  The Migrant Education Program provides for extra academic assistance and support in resource rooms for students who qualify.  The COE form needs to be filled out with assistance of the Migrant Home Visitor at registration time.  This program is for students whose families are migratory agricultural workers.   If your  family has left the Zillah School District within the last 3 years for agricultural or fishing employment and have recently returned, or if your family has come to the Zillah School District for agricultural or fishing employment, then you may qualify for services.   There will be parent PAC meetings held during the year to keep parents informed and involved in the program.

Special Education

All children are special, unique individuals.  Some children have handicapping conditions which could be physical, mental, emotional, academic, or a combination of these.  By law, these students have a right to a "free and appropriate education".  The following steps are used to qualify a student for this program:

Referral -a focus of concern indicates the need for an evaluation.  This referral can be made by a parent,  teacher, or other persons who have contact with the child.

Assessment - conducted by the school psychologist, speech pathologist, or occupational therapist, to determine if a handicap exists and the extent of this handicap.  A re-assessment is done every three years.  Various testing procedures are used which are non-discriminatory and are in the child's primary language.  A team, consisting of the teacher, parent, psychologist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, administrator, and others (school nurse, counselor) review the testing results.

Individual Education Program (IEP)- a plan which is developed by the special education teacher, regular classroom teacher, administrator, and parent.  The IEP is reviewed annually by the IEP team.  This IEP determines the child's placement in the school.

 Placement-in the least restrictive environment for the child as determined by the IEP.

Title 1 - Learning Assistance Program - School Wide

Students may qualify for Chapter I/LAP remedial services in reading and math.  Teacher recommendations and state test scores below the 35th percentile in reading, vocabulary, and math skills may make a child eligible for these services.   If the student qualifies, he/she will receive daily instruction from the special services teachers and aides.  The goal of these programs is to help students master the necessary grade level skills.

Language Assessment Scales (LAS) - The LAS test which takes about 20 minutes is administered to each child individually.  The results of the test are used to place students in special programs which will help them develop their English and language skills.

The Zillah School District complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extra-curricular school activities. Inquires regarding compliance procedures may be directed to the school district's Title IX/RCW 28A.85 Officer/Section 504 Coordinator, 1301 Cutler Way, Zillah, Wa. 98953-9119. (509)-829-5943.

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