Chico Unified School District
Chico, California
Four years ago, the reclassification rate of English learners (EL's) in Chico Unified School District's middle schools hit an historic low. Like many districts throughout the country, only one of every 10 English learners met the reclassification criteria yearly.
District leaders studied the trend and then got proactive. They made reclassification a top priority and made a big change. Historic approaches to language instruction were just not working. They began a long-term initiative to improve language instruction.
To do that, they agreed that a grammar-based system was the answer together with regular in-class support from the district's team of coaches, all of whom had been trained in a unique and powerful coaching system known as Performance-Based Coaching.
The first year, reclassification rates immediately soared from less than 10 percent to more than 50 percent. The systematic teaching of English grammar using interactive and engaging methods, together with a top-notch coaching team, turned the tide.
Today, you can find Tami Oberg, Anna Mayfield and Terri Crawford supporting teachers with real-time coaching and achieving great results for the students in Chico.
"Since beginning this program at the middle schools, each year has been a game changer,” says Terri Crawford, district coach. “This year, we are focusing on a systematic approach to student language production that builds on the work we have done over the last three years."
"We are always available to help teachers with materials and training but getting into classrooms and coaching has made the biggest impact,” echoes Tami Oberg, another member of the district performance coaching team. “Our teachers request our in-class support and we are glad to help."
