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Denver – U.S. Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana’s visit to Goldrick Elementary Wednesday highlighted some of the promising practices Denver Public Schools has implemented in its programs for English Language Learner (ELL) students.

Dr. Melendez de Santa Ana toured Goldrick’s classrooms and visited with teachers, discussing the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the success of bilingual education in Denver.

"We are looking for promising practices across the country, and that's why we are at Goldrick and visiting this district. DPS is doing an excellent job with its English Language Learners. And Goldrick is a model of that success," Dr. Melendez de Santa Ana said during Wednesday's visit to Goldrick Elementary, which has an enrollment that is about 70% ELLs. "I have visited similar demographics, and by all accounts this school could have been low performing, but in contrast it is very successful. Its great teachers and leaders ensure their students are fully engaged and are learning."

Read Denver Post article on Dr. Melendez de Santa Ana's visit to Goldrick

DPS’s approach includes intensive support for ELLs as they transition from their native language into English, including extra help during the school day, after-school tutoring and a four-week English Language Acquisition Summer Academy. Teachers who work with ELLs are required to earn extra endorsements or complete a minimum number of graduate-level courses in effective ELL teaching strategies. Currently, more than 130 languages are spoken by DPS students; the majority of ELLs come from Spanish-speaking homes.

“We are pleased to be able to host Dr. Melendez de Santa Ana and discuss our progress with our English Language Learners,” said DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg. “We have a very strong focus on our ELL students, and their progress is critical to our success. We are working hard to ensure that our ELLs have the opportunities to acquire the English language skills they need to be successful in our schools.”

During her visit, Dr. Melendez de Santa Ana also discussed English Language Acquisition and dual-language education with Goldrick teachers. The percentage of ELLs at Goldrick scoring Proficient on the Colorado English Language Assessment (CELA) increased by 6 points (from 22%-28%) during the 2008-2009 school year. Goldrick, a high-performing and high-growth school on the district’s School Performance Framework, also showed a 32-point increase (from 41%-73%) in students scoring At or Above Proficient on Lectura (the Spanish-language version of the reading CSAP) for the 2008-2009 school year. And Goldrick posted a 25-point increase in students scoring At or Above Proficient on Escritura (the Spanish-language version of the writing CSAP), from 35-60%.

“Goldrick Elementary focuses on high expectations and academic achievement in a safe environment for both English–speaking students and English Language Learners,” said Maria Uribe, Goldrick Elementary Principal. “To ensure that all students are challenged to their highest potential, we work on collaboration and flexible grouping in a culturally responsive manner.”

President Obama’s 2011 education budget includes a $3 billion increase in competitive funding for the ESEA, the largest increase ever requested for programs under the 1965 law. This includes $1.35 billion to continue Race to the Top, $500 million for the Investing in Innovation Fund, more money for school turnarounds, charters, school safety and programs around preparing, retaining and rewarding effective teachers and leaders.