San Leandro Adult School Wins Recognition for ESL Program

The recently received two awards for its English as a Second Language (ESL) program from a national education nonprofit group. 

The Promising Practices awards were handed out at the Summer Institute of the Comprehensive Adult School Assessment Systems, or CASAS. CASAS is a non-profit organization that focuses on assessment and curriculum development of basic skills for youth and adults. 

The Adult School, part of the , received a Promising Practices Award for the adult basic education Bridge and Transition programs, which provide English-learner students with the support to transition successfully into adult secondary education and career technical education programs.

The San Leandro Adult School was also honored with a second award for its effective and efficient intake and orientation process for students of English as a Second Language.

Staff at the school are able to register, assess and place students all within a two-and-a-half hour period, utilizing one-on-one interviews, brief writing samples and a reading assessment.

The streamlined intake, orientation and assessment procedures were developed with input from students and staff, and have led to more accurate student placement, which makes the classroom experience much more effective.

San Leandro Adult School has exceeded the California state performance levels in all ESL instructional levels and has an extremely high persistence rate.

“It is an honor to have CASAS recognize our efforts in providing quality programs for our ESL students,” said Adult School Principal Bradley Frazier.

“The staff recognized the need for a transition program to aid ESL students in developing ongoing educational and work training goals and in advancing their education.”

Since the implementation of the adult basic education Bridge Program, student attendance and persistence have increased, and assessment scores have improved, added Frazier.

“Participating ESL students are excited about their education, and students are receiving the training they need to obtain meaningful employment.”

School district Superintendent Cindy Cathey said the district was "very proud" of the recognition from CASAS.

“Principal Frazier, Vice Principal Rachelle Parham and the entire Adult School teaching staff are to be commended for their tireless commitment to providing quality educational programs to our students, families and community,” she said.