§ 22-23-2. Definitions

As used in the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act: A. “ bilingual learner ” means a student whose bilingualism is emerging through the development of English and a language other than English; B. “ bilingual multicultural education program ” means a program using two languages, including English and the home or heritage language, as a medium of instruction in the teaching and learning process; C. “ culturally and linguistically different ” means students who are of a different cultural background than mainstream United States culture and whose home or heritage language, inherited from the student's family, tribe or country of origin, is a language other than English; D. “ district ” means a public school or any combination of public schools in a district; E. “ English language learner ” means a student whose first or heritage language is not English and who is unable to read, write, speak or understand English at a level comparable to grade level English proficient peers and native English speakers; F. “ heritage language ” means a language other than English that is inherited from a family, tribe, community or country of origin; G. “ home language ” means a language other than English that is the primary or heritage language spoken at home or in the community; and H. “ standardized curriculum ” means a district curriculum that is aligned with the state academic content standards, benchmarks and performance standards.