L.A. Unified’s English learner action upsets parents, teachers is an article in today’s Los Angeles Times about a major reorganization of classes throughout the District using a student’s English level is the priority criteria for class assignment.

I only know what I read in that article, and I’m sure there’s more to it, but it sounds like this might be another example of the district blowing it with a “top down” edict leaving little room for flexibility and inviting little dialogue with parents (see A Very Beginning List Of The Best Articles On The iPad Debacle In Los Angeles Schools).

Our school has a majority English Language Learner student population, but we only separate a tiny number of newcomer and low-Intermediate level students in English classes, and, for the most part, they are placed into other mainstream classes (including, for example, into my IB Theory of Knowledge class).

I’d love to hear from people in Los Angeles with direct experience with this ELL change there.