Milpitas Unified Named One of Top School Districts in State for English Learners

(MUSD) once again made the list of Top 50 High-Performing Districts for English Learners this year, Superintendent Cary Matsuoka announced on Friday. 

This year, MUSD ranked eighth in the state. Special recognition was also given to and for making the list of Top 50 High-Performing Middle Schools and High Schools for English Learners.

"This level of achievement is the result of combined efforts at school and home, so we thank you for your support," Matsuoka wrote in a letter to MUSD families on Friday.

MUSD receives Title III funding from the federal government to help English Learners to speak, read, and write in English and to achieve in reading and mathematics. School districts and other agencies that receive Title III funds are reviewed each year, as required under the "No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act" of 2001, to see if they meet the three Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) for their English learners:

• AMAO 1 - Progress in learning English
• AMAO 2 - Progress in the percentage of students who become proficient in English
• AMAO 3 - Academic targets in English-language arts and mathematics

For the 2010-11 school year, MUSD met AMAO 1 and 2, but did not meet AMAO 3. 

The percentage of English learners performing at or above proficiency grew from 56.5 percent to 62.6 last year.  Despite these favorable gains, this group did not meet the new academic target of 67 percent established under NCLB for 2011. 

"The District remains committed to continuous improvement for all of our educational programs, and takes pride in the high-quality education provided to our students," Matsuoka said.

Parents who would like more information about how their child is performing on these targets should contact their child’s teacher or school. 

For more information about the educational program to help English learners become English-proficient and meet academic goals, contact Mindy Bolar, director of educational services, at 408-635-2600 ext. 6014.