Program Coordinator – Ms. Florence Acque
(no photo available at this time)

Bachelor’s in Education
TESOL Endorsement
Bilingual Endorsement
Native American Language & Culture Endorsement
Currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership

Program Secretary – Mrs. Rena Gonzales
Email
 

The Zuni Public School District Bilingual Education Program follows guidelines under the State Bilingual Multicultural Act

The Zuni Public School District Bilingual Program also follows guidelines under the Title III English Language Acquisition Act (NCLB).

The Zuni Public School District receives Title III funds to provide language development services to ELL students at a rate of approximately $61.00 per eligible student. In school year 2007-2008 Zuni Public School District received $67,175.00 from Title III. Some of these funds are allocated to each school site to purchase items for direct instruction, which includes supplies and materials, literature and technology.

A portion of the Title III funds under the category of professional development pays for staff who travel to training sessions out of district as well as for coursework towards bilingual multicultural education.
During the assessment cycle, District Test Administrators are hired to administer the NMELPA or the SBA to students in the district. Title III funds are used to pay for these Test Administrators as well as for purchasing the NMELPA in the Spring.


State Bilingual Program

The funds generated through the State Bilingual Program is based on a formula dependent on the number of students in a 2 or 3 hour bilingual program multiplied by a unit value as well as the T & E index. Funds from this program are used to pay staff salaries and fringe benefits.

Language Proficiency

Local services as required under the regulations are an annual administration of the New Mexico English Language Proficiency assessment in the spring and as new students enroll (New Mexico English Language Placement Assessment)Administration of this assessment determines language proficiency levels of the students. Please refer to FAQs regarding the NMELPA.


In addition to the English language proficiency assessments, the Bilingual Program also administers a Zuni language proficiency assessment formally named Shiwi’ma Bena:we Andehhałnanne (SBA). This is administered to all students receiving Zuni language instruction at the beginning of the year as a pre-test and then at the end of each school year as a post-test. The SBA is available for grades Kindergarten to ninth grade with an assessment being developed for the 10th -12th grades in the near future.


Program Model

The program model which our district is following is the Heritage Language Model in which Zuni language is used in the instruction of content area as well as language development courses.

There are two levels of programs in which ELL students are served. These programs are identified as a 2 hour program and a 3 hour program. A two hour program is one in which students receive Zuni Language instruction by a Native American Language & Culture (NALC) certified teacher and content area instruction from a TESOL, Bilingual or NALC certified teacher.

A three hour program is one in which students receive Zuni Language instruction by an NALC certified teacher, a language development course from a TESOL or Bilingual endorsed teacher AND content area instruction from a TESOL, Bilingual OR NALC certified instructor.
The level of program in which students are being served determine the funding amount from the State Bilingual Program.

Zuni Language Instruction

As required by the State and Title III Programs, Zuni language instruction is taking place at all school sites via NALC certified teachers. At the two elementary schools, A:shiwi and Dowa Yalanne, there is a 1 hour block of Zuni language instruction on a daily basis. Pacing guides are utilized to guide the Zuni curriculum in order that there is a developmental continuum throughout the grade levels and lessons are not being replicated.



At the Zuni Middle School, there is an NALC certified teacher at all three grade levels who provide Zuni language as an elective to grades 6-8th. Pacing guides are in the process of being developed at the middle school level and will then be developed for the high school level of instruction.
 

The Zuni High School has an NALC certified teacher who serves all ninth graders and some 10th -12th grade students.