English Learner (EL)/Multilingual Learner (ML) District Program

2025 Graduation
English Learners: EL students currently constitute 25% of all public school students enrolled in the South Sioux City Community School District. This percentage is higher than the state average of 9%.*
Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA), public schools must ensure EL students can participate meaningfully and equally in educational programs. In addition, under Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), ELs must show increased academic achievement in content areas each year, while learning English. Schools in Nebraska are also subject to implementing the provisions of Rule 15: Regulations and Procedures for the Education of English Learner Programs in Nebraska Public Schools. Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Rule 15 aims to enable each English learner to become proficient in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The rule requires schools to:
Identify students in need of services
Implement a language instruction educational program
See that staff members are endorsed or receive ongoing professional development
Ensure students participate in the state assessments with appropriate accommodations
Exit students when they have attained English proficiency
Conduct an annual program review
In the South Sioux City School District, our EL program focuses on inclusive practices, with some pull-out and sheltered instruction. Our EL teachers have prioritized the NE ELPA21 standards in the four domains of Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. We conduct a program review each year and make a summary report available to the public.
*Information from 2023-24 Nebraska Education Profile
ML Coordinator: Tracy Garvey; Email Tracy Garvey

2025-2026 ML Department Team
2025-2026 South Sioux City Schools ML Newsletters
August-Welcome, ML Team Goals, Ellevation information | September-Set up a classroom for MLs, and classroom checklist |
October-One class, three levels, one lesson, ELPA21 Can Do chart, Synergy notification updates |
2024-2025 South Sioux City Schools ML Newsletters
September-Welcoming Classroom Environment | October-High Expectations and Language Objectives |
November- High Expectations- Volleyball vs Ping Pong, OTR | December-Language output- Connect to new input, chunk & chew, cooperative learning strategies |
January-ELPA information, Language output, sentence frames | February- Comprehensible Input with background knowledge, gestures, and TPR |
March-EL update for SY 25-26, Ramadan, and Quick Checks | April -Collaboration and Introduction to Foster Interactions |
May-ELPA21, Project ASSETS, and summer reads |
