Course Information
ELD in High School
The English Language Development program at the high school level enrolls linguistically and culturally diverse secondary students who require intensive English language instruction and orientation to a new cultural and academic environment. Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs) in Grades 9-12 receive ELD services at an Intensive English Language Center (IELC) which is part of a high school. EML students receive daily English language development instruction from an ELD teacher. The amount of daily ELD instruction varies according to the level of English language proficiency with those at the lowest level of English language proficiency receiving the most intervention.
Beginning students in EML Level 1 receive three ELD classes daily.
Beginning students in EML Level 2 receive two ELD classes daily.
Intermediate students in Level 3 and Level 4, as well as Advanced students in Level 5 receive one ELD class daily.
EML students at all proficiency levels have access to the general education curriculum in core content areas of Math, Science, and Social Studies.
The composition of the student population in each EML level is usually multi-grade and heterogeneous. ELD classes provide structured instruction in the acquisition of academic English with specific emphasis on the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills that are prerequisite for success in a rigorous academic environment. Students develop competency in understanding spoken English, using grammatically correct English to express social and academic needs and in organizing and clearly expressing their ideas in written English. Students explore developmentally appropriate texts representing the genres of narration, poetry, drama and exposition. As students become more fluent with spoken and written English, they are also taught to analyze text from an historical and cultural perspective and develop critical reading and thinking skills.
The ELD curriculum is aligned to the WIDA English language development standards and the Common Core State Standards.
High school students with interrupted formal education may be referred to the Multidisciplinary Education, Training, and Support (METS) Program for appropriate, intensive instruction in English language and basic academic skills.
Students who are at least eighteen years of age and have significant interrupted formal education may be referred to the Students Engaged in Pathways to Success (SEPA) Program for intensive instruction in English language and basic academic skills and to participate in vocational training to prepare them for the world of work beyond high school.
Course Offerings-
ELD 1-5, Basic Reading, Developmental Reading, US Culture, Academic Language, Advanced Communication, Connections, AAELL.