Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) at Gateway High School
The CLDE staff believes that all students deserve rigorous and equitable learning opportunities that value their linguistic and cultural diversity and their unique identities. It is our shared responsibility to ensure high expectations so all students will have the choice to attend college and be contributing members of a multicultural society.
English Language Learners are expected to acquire high levels of English proficiency that allow them to function successfully in academic settings. This vision is grounded in the belief that, when we organize ourselves and our instruction with the needs of second language learners in mind, every student benefits (Commins, 2009). With this in mind, the CLDE department works to accelerate learning for every APS student, every day by being learners, leaders and advocates by promoting language acquisition through culturally and linguistically responsive practices.
Gateway offers services to English Language Learners through two complementary aspects of programming: Differentiated content instruction and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE). Each of these aspects of programming is designed to ensure that students develop English-language proficiency and build academic skills in all areas of the core curriculum. All options contain the following required components:
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Well-articulated, standards-based, differentiated Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) instruction, specifically designed for English Language Learners
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Well-articulated, standards-based, differentiated instruction in the core curriculum, with primary language support where possible
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Structured experiences designed to develop multicultural proficiency and positive identity
