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EL/ELD

Steelton-Highspire School District has more than 100 English learners representing 14 countries around the world and 7 different languages.
What is the English Language Development Program (ELD)?The English Language Development Program provides instruction throughout the day for English learners delivered by all teachers. Our goal is to provide English language and academic support to ensure a high quality education for our students.
How does a student qualify for English Language Development (ELD) support?

  1. The enrollment team administers a Home Language Survey and a Family Interview.
  2. A student with a language besides English indicated will be flagged for possible assessment. The assessment will determine the student’s current level of English proficiency in all areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
  3. A student will take the WIDA Screener Online or the Kindergarten Screener.
  4. Any student that scores below 5.0 will qualify for ELD support and then be enrolled in our ELD support program.

Our Program SupportOur English Language Development program provides instruction for English Learners in kindergarten through 12th grade. Teachers provide instruction for our English learners in the general education classroom. ESL/ELD teachers work together with content teachers to provide academic instruction in English adapted to our students’ English proficiency levels. Students also receive specialized English instruction in the ESL/ELD classroom.
Our ESL/ELD instruction comprises intensive language instruction for students with lower English proficiency levels and assistance as needed for students with higher English proficiency levels. The extent of services provided to a student depends on the student’s individual level of need.
ELs and Special EducationEnglish Learners receiving Special Education services are also eligible to receive ELD/ESL support. We will work together with the Special Education Department to coordinate student support.


English Language Proficiency Levels
Level 1 – Entering
Level 2 – Beginning
Level 3 – Developing
Level 4 – Expanding
Level 5 – Bridging (Eligible for Monitor status)
Level 6 – Reaching (Exit Support, equivalent to a native English speaker)


WIDA has 6 levels of English language proficiency. The lowest score is 1.0, and the highest score is 6.0. A student is eligible to move to Monitor status when he/she reaches 4.5 on the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 English Language Proficiency Test.
Identification of StudentsSteelton-Highspire School District identifies students to participate in the ELD/ESL program based on the federal government definition of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students as described in Public Law 107-110 the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.


An LEP student is classified as one:

The term “limited English proficient,” when used with respect to an individual, means an individual:

(A) who is aged 3 through 21;

(B) who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary school or secondary schoo

(C) (i) who was not born in the United states or whose native language is a language other than English; OR

(ii) (I) who is a Native American or Alaska Native, or a native resident of the outlying areas (Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or Northern Mariana Islands); and

(II) who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the individuals level of English language proficiency; OR

(iii) who is migratory, whose native language is a language other than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; AND

(D) whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the individual:

(i) the ability to meet the state’s proficient level of achievement on the states assessments described in Section 1111(b)(3);

(ii) the ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English; or

(iii) the opportunity to participate fully in society.


P.L. 107-110, Title IX, Part A, Sec. 9101, (25)