English Learner Program

Students who speak a language other than English and who are not yet fluent in English are identified as English learners. As a group, these students represent approximately 14% of the total student population in the Cypress School District, and speak 25 different languages.  The majority of our English learners speak Korean (33%) or Spanish (26%).

Our English learners come from a variety of different cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. They have varying levels of formal schooling, proficiency in their native languages, and English literacy. These students enter school with very different language abilities than their English-only peers. Therefore, we must provide them with appropriate services and instruction that enable them to overcome language barriers, develop English language fluency, and successfully access the core curriculum.

District English Learner Advisory Committee

California school districts with more than 50 English learners must form a District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) to advise district staff and the Board of Trustees on the programs and services provided for English learners.

All meetings take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Cypress School District Education Center.

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
State and federal law require school districts to administer a state test of English proficiency to eligible students. The new ELPAC is aligned to the English Language Development Standards (2012) and replaces the former California English Language Development Test (CELDT). A field test of the new ELPAC will be administered in 2017. It is anticipated the ELPAC will become fully operational in 2018, at which time district and individual student reports will be generated

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

Students identified as gifted and talented are provided with differentiated learning opportunities commensurate with their particular abilities and talents. GATE services are provided through both part-time and cluster grouping at each school. 

GATE Identification Process
In California, each school district has the responsibility to develop a method for identifying students as gifted and talented. In the Cypress School District, all third grade students and those who are new to the district each year are screened for GATE services. Students are administered the Kuhlmann-Anderson test, a valid and reliable instrument that measures students’ academic potential by assessing cognitive skills related to the learning process. English learners are assessed for GATE using the Raven’s Progressive Matrices, a nonverbal school abilities test. GATE identified students are provided with program services in grades four through six.

Special Education

The district provides special education services delivered in a variety of settings to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Please visit the Student Support Services page of this website for information regarding the continuum of services available to students with disabilities.