The ML* Program at Dominion High School serves approximately 17% of the total school population. Our students currently represent 18 languages and an even greater number of dialects and cultures: Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Urdu, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Farsi, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog, Telugu, Twi, Hindi, Cambodian, German, Amharic, and French.  There is even greater diversity in language and culture throughout Loudoun County Public Schools: Of the nearly 9,000 ML students enrolled in grades K-12, 95 languages other than English are represented. With this ever-growing population, we are constantly striving to better meet the needs of our multilingual learners. Course offerings this year include three levels of English for ML students, EL Math, Science Concepts, Social Studies Concepts, and Literacy (Reading & Writing) in both English and Spanish. Documented research shows that students who are confident in their first language acquire additional languages more rapidly and with greater longevity of essential concepts.  While beginning students spend the majority of their day in these classes, intermediate and advanced students take courses to fulfill graduation requirements for standard and advanced diploma plans. All our curricula are designed to help students develop skills and content knowledge necessary for success in mainstream SOL-level classes; ML students are expected to take SOL tests when enrolled in an SOL course (such as Algebra, Geometry, World History, U.S. History, Earth Science, Biology, and English 11), This is the ninth year for Virginia's implementation of the World-Class Instructional Design & Assessment (WIDA) standards and goals and the ACCESS Test. 36 states have now joined the WIDA Consortium.  These standards hold ML students accountable for both English language and content vocabulary, similar to standards in place in general education classes.  For more information, please contact the ML staff or visit the links below. Informative Links World-Class Instructional Design & Assessment (WIDA) Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs)

Please contact your/your student's teacher if we can offer any help or assistance. Additionally, if you have any questions about ML at Dominion High School, please reach out to the Department Chair, Email Ms. Pat Sinclair for further assistance.

*ML, or "multilingual learners," has replaced the former designation EL, "English learners," "in an effort to recognize the assets, funds of knowledge, and linguistic capital of all individuals using English as an additional language." (Source)

ACCESS Test

ML students, proficiency levels 1-5, will be taking a test to measure their English proficiency this winter.  Dictionaries, cell phones, and other electronic devices are not allowed in testing rooms.  All parts of the test are on the computer this year, and students should prepare for the new test format by watching the test demo video and taking the online practice test. 

Students will be tested between January 11 and March 18, 2024, and ACCESS score reports will be mailed home to parents during the summer, 2024.  Students must score 5.1 or higher in two categories (overall and literacy) to exit from direct ML services.  All ML students codes 1-5 must take the test to measure their progress and to help determine their academic placement.  Due to changes in federal regulations, Virginia's teachers are no longer allowed to use student's transcripts and grades (body of evidence) as a factor in placing ML students and creating their course schedules.

The WIDA ACCESS test has four parts:  listening, reading, writing, and speaking.  Listening, reading, and writing are tested in groups.  This year, all parts of the test will be untimed and presented in an online format.  For the speaking proficiency test, students will record their own responses on the computer.  In mid-January, ML teachers will visit Titan Time, and students will receive a test ticket showing their scheduled testing days and locations for group tests.   Students who are absent and miss their tests must make up the missing parts.  

Please contact Email Ms. Sinclair, the ML Department Chair, if you have any questions.

You may watch the video and take the practice tests as many times as you would like until you feel comfortable with the tests' format.

If you are not using Google Chrome to access this web page, open Google Chrome now. Copy and paste the link at the bottom into your browser window.

Why is it important to do your best and take this test seriously?

• Your results on this four-part test determine your schedule for next year.

• You must score at least a 5.1 average overall AND at least a 5.1 average on your reading and writing tests to leave the ML program.

• By showing progress in learning academic English for school, you show that your ready for the more advanced classes that will help you earn your high school diploma.

 All students taking the test should learn as much as possible about the new format and be prepared to do their best work.

Click here to access the practice items.