San Jose Unified School District

I. Program Assistant/Primary Language

II. Definition
Under the supervision of the English Language Program (ELP) Coordinator, the
Primary Language Program Assistant provides instructional support services to
identified English Learners in language development groupings and/or a bilingual
classroom staffed by a bilingual teacher. The Primary Language Program Assistant
also administers required assessment(s) to English Learners in accordance with
provisions of the state mandated Language Census process and Board policy.

III. Examples of Duties
• Provide primary language support under the supervision of the ELP coordinator.
• Assess students and update student records under the supervision of the ELPcoordinator.
• Provide instructional support and reinforcement of classroom and groupinstruction.
• Provide tutorials as assigned by the ELP coordinator.
• Participate in the recruitment, program explanations and gathering of program waivers for
parents of EL students.
• Provide instructional support services to identified English Learners by implementing the
primary language component of the state mandated instructional program within an identified
bilingual classroom staffed by a Bilingual Crosscultural Language & Academic Development
Certificate (BCLAD) or BCLAD waiver teacher.
• Provide support services in the primary languages in the areas of language, reading, math
or social studies, and other curricular areas as necessary (i.e., science).
• Administer English and/or primary language proficiency assessments as directed.
• Provide reinforcement of English Language Development and Primary Language
Development.
• Provide written and oral communication with parents or guardians of identified English
Learners.
• Provide explanation of program options for parents of English LanguageLearners.
• Translate and or interpret materials as directed by the ELP Coordinator.

IV. Employment Standards
A. Knowledge of:
• Usage of English, vocabulary, grammar and spelling.
• Usage of Primary language usage, vocabulary, grammar and spelling.
• Implementation of safety and health rules.
• Language acquisition development training is desirable.

B. Ability to:
• Assist in reinforcement of instruction in the content areas, reading and mathematics, while
using both the primary and English languages forstudents K-5.
• Relate and work with English Learners individually and in small groups and take appropriate
initiative as needed in classroom situations.
• Follow oral and written directions and work independently.
• Attend meetings, classes and training to further the capacity to support programs for EL
students.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, teachers and
coworkers.
• Provide one-on-one tutoring instruction for English Learners.
• Provide instructional interventions to students.
• Assist English Learners in computer laboratories.
• Support parent involvement activities.
• Provide support to English Learners in the library media centers.
• Provide 60% student contact time.
• Provide 30% assessment/monitoring.
• Provide 10% translating/interpreting/record-keeping of program materials under the direction
of the EL Coordinator.

C . Education/Training/Experience:
• Previous experience or training in the care and supervision in the education of children, and
bilingual methodology.
• Passing score on the instructional associate test and all parts of the bilingual test or proof
of California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST).
• Completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education.
• Obtained an associate’s (or higher) degree, or met a rigorous standard of quality and can
demonstrate the ability to perform successfully on a formal State or local academic
assessment.

Date: August 7, 2003
Revised: 7/1/04 Board
Work Year: 9.5
Range: 19a (includes bilingual stipend on English only pay table CSEA)
Category Code: PAL