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John Swett Unified School District

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  • A woman with glasses smiles at the camera, in a home office setting.JSUSD EL Program Coordinator Consultant

     

    Marga Marshall is an Educational Consultant with experience in bilingual education in Spain and California. She opened the first TK-8 Two Way Dual Immersion English/Spanish School in Concord, CA as part of the district’s Magnet schools. Prior to becoming a principal, Marga Marshall was a bilingual teacher, an instructional coach, an English Learners coach, and a Dual Language coach. As an educator for over 24 years, her passion is bilingualism , biliteracy, and offering students the opportunity to learn a second language. Marga Marshall has always developed relationships with the community, staff, and teachers. Her leadership also involves watching students grow and supporting teachers and staff, so that they can reach their greatest potential while strengthening a connection between school and home, and fostering a positive school culture. 

    Marga Marshall has presented at state and national conferences on best practices for the bilingual classroom, Creating Culturally Competent Schools, Number Talks in bilingual classrooms, and presentations for parents and paraeducators with strategies on how to support students during distance Learning.

    She was awarded the MDEA Community Involvement Award during the 2015-2016 school year and she is also the recipient of the MDEA Outstanding Administrator Award for the 2017-2018 and 2020-2021 school years. She was also nominated as the ACSA Region 6 Elementary Principal of the Year for the 2018-2019 school year. 

    During her leadership at Holbrook Language Academy, her school was voted best Bilingual School by Parents Press for three consecutive years, and she wrote the entry for the CSBA Golden Bell Awards - an award that promotes excellence in education by recognizing outstanding programs - leading Holbrook Language Academy to be the recipient of the 2021 Golden Bell Award in the Category of English Learners/Biliteracy.

    As an Educational Bilingual Consultant, Marga Marshall partners with districts providing expert, customized consulting, and professional learning in the areas of biliteracy and English Learner education.
    Marga Marshall is the co-author of Breaking Down the Monolingual Wall: Essential Shifts for Multilingual Learners' Success, a guide to culturally and linguistically sustaining practices in dual language classrooms and schools, published by Corwin Press in October 2023. 

  • The John Swett Unified School District logo features a bridge, sailboat, and buildings.  An educational poster defines different types of languages, including heritage, native, and home language.

      Dedicados a excELencia en educación

  • Hands of diverse people reach towards a globe, symbolizing unity.

    - John Swett Unified School District - Informe de idiomas hablados de nuestros estudiantes

     

    1. Arabic
    2. Bulgarian
    3. Cantonese
    4. Cebuano (visayan)
    5. Farsi (Persian)
    6. Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 
    7. French
    8. German
    9. Guajarati
    10. Hindi
    11. Hungarian
    12. Khmu
    13. Korean
    14. Lahu
    15. Lao
    16. Mandarin
    17. Mien (Yao)
    18. Nepali
    19. Other Non English
    20. Pashto
    21. Portuguese
    22. Punjabi
    23. Russian
    24. Somali
    25. Spanish
    26. Telugu
    27. Thai
    28. Tigrinya
    29. Tongan
    30. Turkish
    31. Urdu
    32. Vietnamese

  • Informational poster from the California Department of Education about the State Seal of Biliteracy.       A cartoon Earth smiles, with text in Spanish: 'Todo el mundo sonrundefinede en el mismo idioma.'

     

  • A New Chapter for California's English Learners: AB 2555

    California Assembly Bill 2555 (AB 2555) was signed into law on September 27, 2026, bringing important changes to the English Learner reclassification process. Under the new law, English language proficiency demonstrated through the Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC is now the sole criterion for reclassification.

    Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, students who achieve Overall Performance Level 4 on the Summative ELPAC or Overall Performance Level 3 on the Summative Alternate ELPAC meet the state's reclassification score requirement. 

    At John Swett Unified School District, we celebrate our Multilingual Learners' growth and achievements. Reclassification recognizes an important milestone in a student's English language development. Our commitment to supporting students' academic success and multilingualism continues beyond reclassification.

    Explore the updated JSUSD Reclassification Criteria Chart:

     

    • “English learners at all English proficiency levels and at all ages require both Integrated ELD and specialized attention to their particular language learning needs, or Designated ELD.” 

    • Is defined as instruction provided during a time during the regular school day for focused instruction on the state-adopted ELD standards to assist English learners to develop critical English language skills necessary for academic content learning in English. (California Code of Regulations, Title 5 [5 CCR] Section 11300[a])

    • Is defined as instruction in which the state-adopted ELD standards are used in tandem with the state-adopted academic content standards. Integrated ELD includes specifically designed academic instruction in English. (5 CCR Section 11300[c])

  • Un nuevo capítulo para los estudiantes aprendices de inglés: AB 2555

    La Ley de la Asamblea de California AB 2555 se firmó el 27 de septiembre de 2026 e introduce cambios importantes en el proceso de reclasificación de los estudiantes aprendices de inglés. Según la nueva ley, el dominio del inglés demostrado mediante el ELPAC sumativo o el ELPAC sumativo alternativo es ahora el único criterio para la reclasificación.

    A partir del año escolar 2026–2027, los estudiantes que obtengan nivel de desempeño general 4 en el ELPAC sumativo o nivel de desempeño general 3 en el ELPAC sumativo alternativo cumplen con el requisito estatal de puntuación para la reclasificación.

    En el Distrito Escolar Unificado John Swett, celebramos el crecimiento y los logros de nuestros estudiantes multilingües. La reclasificación representa un paso importante en el desarrollo del inglés de cada estudiante. Nuestro compromiso con su éxito académico y con el desarrollo de sus habilidades multilingües continúa después de la reclasificación.

    Consulte el cuadro actualizado de criterios de reclasificación de JSUSD:

    • Los estudiantes de inglés en todos los niveles de dominio del inglés y en todas las edades requieren ELD integrado y atención especializada a sus necesidades particulares de aprendizaje del idioma, o ELD designado”. 

    • Proporcionada durante un tiempo durante el día escolar regular para la instrucción enfocada en los estándares ELD adoptados por el estado para ayudar a los estudiantes de inglés a desarrollar las habilidades críticas del idioma inglés necesarias para el aprendizaje del contenido académico en inglés. (Código de Regulaciones de California, Título 5 [5 CCR] Sección 11300[a])

    • Se define como instrucción en la que los estándares de ELD adoptados por el estado se utilizan junto con los estándares de contenido académico adoptados por el estado. ELD integrado incluye instrucción académica específicamente diseñada en inglés. (5 CCR Sección 11300[c])