Despite New State Rules, 'Sheltered' English-Learning Continues In Waltham: Report

WALTHAM, MA — The city’s public school system is ending classes dedicated to “sheltered English immersion,” and a School Committee last week explained why.

Superintendent Marisa Mendonsa discussed the district’s reason for complying with new state guidelines on SEI, the Waltham Times reported Sunday.

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Until recently, Waltham High has used an SEI approach to teaching students in a variety of subjects. The approach calls for placing students with lower English-language skills in the same course sections, so teachers can tailor instruction to the needs of those students.

But the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education now says schools cannot segregate classes this way, the Times reported. Instead, early English-language learners need to attend classes with fluent speakers.

Mendonsa said that the requirement doesn’t change the fact that all core-content educators in Waltham must use SEI techniques when there are early English learners in the classroom.

To read the Waltham Times coverage of the discussion, click here.