Program Overview

The Academic English Mastery Program (AEMP) is a comprehensive, research-based program designed to address the acquisition of school language, literacy and learning in students for whom Standard English is not native. These students–referred to as Standard English Learners (SELs)– include African American, Hawaiian American, Mexican American, and Native American students whose home language is of a non-standard variety.

AEMP has as its primary objective assuring Standard English Learners (SELs) equity in accessing the core curricula. The Academic English Mastery Program responds to three district initiatives, The Action Plan for a Culturally Relevant Education that Benefits African American Students and all Other Students, (June, 2001); The Children Can No Longer Wait: An Action Plan to End Low Achievement and Establish Educational Excellence (March, 1989), and Priorities for Education, A Design for Excellence (December, 1986).

All three initiatives call for instruction appropriate to the specific language needs of students with limited proficiency in Standard American and Academic English, and for staff development on topics that "come directly from the needs of students [and] teachers, which address both the content (what) and the process (how) of teaching." In response to this mandate, AEMP provides ongoing comprehensive professional development and training for teachers, paraedudcators, and parents on culturally relevant and linguistically responsive instruction and offers a strategies curriculum designed to assure SELs enhanced post-secondary opportunities and career opportunities.

AEMP provides comprehensive professional development and training for teachers, coaches, paraeducators, and parents on linguistic and cultural diversity, and on instructional pedagogical and methodology issues, and offers a strategies curriculum that scaffolds instruction for SELs and ensures educational access and increased academic achievement.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AEMP PROGRAM CONTACT:
Noma LeMoine Ph.D., Director (noma.lemoine@lausd.net)
Programs for Standard English Learners
Academic English Mastery Program
333 Beaudry, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Instructional Support Services, 25th Floor, Room-131
PHONE (213) 241-3340 FAX: (213) 241-8495