KION - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News WeatherBilingual Students At Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Getting Help They Need

Bilingual Students At Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Getting Help They Need

Salinas, Calif.- Dr. Martin Luther King  Jr. Academy is on the under achieving list, but the school's Principal has new strategies to turn things around.

 "They are having a hard time transferring some of these things they are reading . We see a gap there," said Principal Luisa Diaz. All classes at M.L.K Academy are taught in English. But for most of the students, English is a second language. Students only get two years of E.S.L. type classes at school. " My children are taught only in English, but they only speak Spanish at home which affects them. I want to help them with their homework but there is a language barrier,"said Mirta Orosco, a parent.

But after one year at the school, Principal Luisa Diaz is trying to turn things around.The school's now reviewing all state tests and giving students specialized attention. " I meet with my staff on a one on one basis. We look at the class roster and then the child in the class gets an individual plan,"said Diaz.

E.S.L. students are being placed in classes where bilingual teacher can help. They also added morning and afternoon tutoring for students.