KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH YIELDS SUCCESS (KEYS) PROGRAM
The KEYS Program is a component of the Asian language program. The program serves Asian Pacific American students of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Samoan, and Vietnamese heritage. The program provides students with assistance in developing and acquiring English skills in a culturally-affirming environment. English language skills are developed with an understanding of linguistic interference patterns unique to Asian languages. The KEYS program is designed to support the academic achievement and cultural understanding of all students. Services provided include: development of curricula focusing on the cultural heritage of Asian Americans; staff development for local district EL specialists working with Asian populations; and implementation of two pre-kindergarten classes under the direction of KEYS teachers.
ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS
The large influx of immigrants from Asia and Asian Pacific countries, as well as Asian Pacific American students who have not yet acquired proficiency in English, has created needs unique to the Asian American communities in the United States. Asian Pacific American children of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Samoan and Vietnamese backgrounds benefit from an academic environment in which both English language skills and cross-cultural understanding are promoted.
KEYS PROGRAM MATERIALS
Language SOS with Bilingual Glossaries and Cassette Tapes
- English/Cantonese
- English/Filipino
- English/Japanese
- English/Khmer
- English/Korean
- English/Mandarin
- English/Samoan
- English/Vietnamese
Phrases for Schools with Cassette Tapes
- English/Armenian
- English/Cantonese
- English/Korean
- English/Vietnamese
Bilingual Booklets with Cassette Tapes
- Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, May and Eddie's Family (Cantonese)
- A Flilipino Festival, Rice Harvest, A Special Christmas (Filipino)
- Bobby's Birthday, Girl's Day with Amy, Rice Cakes for New Year (Japanese)
- Korean Children's Day, Korean Thanksgiving, The 61st Birthday (Korean)
- A Day for Children, Getting Ready for Flag Day, Tolo Goes Fishing (Samoan)
DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS
Linguistic materials appropriate to the needs of students are developed for classroom instruction. Culturally-affirming materials are developed for classroom activities. Resource materials are researched, compiled, and dissemiated for use in the KEYS Program. KEYS instructional materials are used by teachers in pre-kindergarten through grade three district-wide.
KEYS PROGRAM STAFF
KEYS paraprofessionals assist in the classrooms by reinforcing, enriching, and individualizing the instructional program to support students of Asian Pacific American heritage.
KEYS SCHOOLS and LANGUAGES
- Amestoy EL: Japanese
- Bonita EL: Filipino, Samoan
- Cahuenga EL: Korean
- Catskill EL: Filipino, Korean, Samoan
- Del Amo EL: Filipino, Samoan
- Denker EL: Korean
- Dolores EL: Filipino, Samoan
- Elysian EL: Cantonese
- Farmdale EL: Cantonese
- Granada EL: Korean
- Kim EL: Korean
- Latona EL: Cantonese, Korean
- Rosemont EL: Tagalog
- Solano EL: Cantonese, Vietnamese
- Third Street EL: Korean
- Topeka EL: Korean
- Wilton Pl. EL: Korean
- 232th Street: Filipino
