Multilingual Learning

Our students and families bring unique languages and cultures to our schools. We value each language and culture and we celebrate the value they bring to our students and community.

The goal of our Multilingual Education Program is to:

What is the Multilingual Education Program?

The Multilingual Education Program  (MEP) provides English Language Development for students whose primary language is a language other than English and who have received a qualifying score of Entering or Emerging on the Washington State English Language Proficiency Screener or Assessment.

All students whose primary language is not English are tested on their proficiency in English to determine eligibility for a range of supports in the MEP program. Our VPS Multilingual Education Program supports over 3,000 students who speak nearly 100 different languages.

The Mutlilingual Education Program facilitates the development of English within all subjects. Students receive services until they reach a proficient level in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English. Proficiency is measured based on standards set by OSPI.

Elementary

We give all students who do not speak English as their primary language a screening assessment upon entering elementary school. Based on the assessment proficiency results, we develop a plan to offer meaningful access to content all day, every day as well as clear and helpful lessons to build skills in speaking, reading, and writing in English.

Secondary

In our middle and high schools, we have additional help for students learning English. Teachers blend English lessons with regular class lessons to help students learn both the language and their grade-level subjects. Some schools also have specialized classes to help students who are new to English language learning.

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