National and State Standards

PA English Language Proficiency Standards

The PA English Language Proficiency Standards meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 by providing a framework for standards-based instructional and assessment planning for English language learners. The Classroom/Formative framework is designed to be used with planning instruction and curriculum and extends itself to be used as a tool for classroom performance-based assessment as well. Though the framework was adopted, and the standards remained the same, the performance indicators for the PA ELPS were based on Pennsylvania’s criteria for its English Language Learners, as well as Pennsylvania’s content standards in the Core Curriculum content areas and PA Assessment Anchors for Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. (2007 Pennsylvania English language proficiency standards, pps. 2-3)

WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards

The WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework, 2020 Edition: Kindergarten – Grade 12 is a document that provides a foundation for curriculum, instruction, and assessment for multilingual learners in kindergarten through grade 12. The ELD Standards Framework fosters the assets, contributions, and potential of multilingual learners. The 2020 Edition serves as a resource for planning and implementing language instruction and assessment for multilingual learners as they learn academic content.
 

WIDA ELD Standards Statements

English language learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content areas of:
  • Standard 1: Social and Instructional purposes within the school setting
  • Standard 2: Language Arts
  • Standard 3: Mathematics
  • Standard 4: Science
  • Standard 5: Social Studies

TESOL Pre-K - English Language Proficiency Standards Framework

The language proficiency levels are intended to highlight and provide a model of the process of language acquisition that can be adapted by individual districts and states. The five levels are:
  • Level 1-Starting: Students initially have limited or no understanding of English.
  • Level 2-Emerging: Students can understand phrases and short sentences. They can communicate limited information in simple, everyday, and routine situations.
  • Level 3-Developing: Students understand more complex speech but still may require some repetition.
  • Level 4-Expanding: Students' language skills are adequate for most day-to-day communication needs. They communicate in English in new or unfamiliar settings but have occasional difficulty with complex structures and abstract academic concepts.
  • Level 5-Bridging: Students can express themselves fluently and spontaneously on a wide range of
    personal, general, academic, or social topics in a variety of contexts.