We teach our K-12 English learners (ELs) to understand and use the English language, preparing each student to participate fully and effectively in social and academic endeavors. Our vision is to see our students purposefully included and engaged with their English speaking peers in the grade-level, academic learning of the content classroom while steadily and adequately growing in English language proficiency. Our goal for student learning is based on current research by the Colorado Department of Education and the WIDA Consortium; the English learner will increase by one overall language proficiency level each year. Finally, EL performance objectives are drawn from WIDA’s performance criteria; ELs will master English in vocabulary usage, language forms and conventions, and linguistic complexity (WIDA, 2013).
1. demonstrate a deep understanding of how academic language connects Colorado Academic Standards, Colorado English Language Proficiency Standards, instruction and assessment
· align English Language Development Curriculum with content area curriculum
2. ensure that ELs learn in an inclusive environment, without unnecessary segregation, by coplanning and coteaching the academic language of content areas: functional language
· collaborate, coplan and coteach with content area teachers
3. serve as academic language expert during PBL planning
· collaborate with content teachers in planning of PBL units by contributing specific EL learner data around WIDA language proficiencies and Can Do’s as well as academic language demands of PBL content.
4. professionally manage ELD program systems
· manage EL/IC data platform, EL identifications and EL redesignation according to detailed district protocol.
1. CLD teachers meet English learner academic language needs by coplanning and coteaching with content teachers.
2. CLD teachers add value to classroom instruction by teaching the functional language of the content areas. CLD teachers specifically analyzes texts and print material for language structures that need to be directly taught to ELs.
3. During collaborative data meetings, CLD and content teachers utilize Schoolzilla/Mosaic data platform and ELD Program formative assessment data.
4. CLD teacher gathers and inputs formative assessment data into IC, for each NEP and Low LEP learner on caseload.
QUALITY STANDARD I
Teachers demonstrate mastery of and pedagogical expertise in the content they teach.
ELEMENT A: Teachers provide instruction that is aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards; their district’s organized plan of instruction; and the individual needs of their students.
Application for CLD teachers: The CLD teacher collaborates with other school staff to align, articulate and deliver academic language curriculum as integrated with CAS and WIDA Language Proficiencies.
QUALITY STANDARD III
Teachers plan and deliver effective instruction and create an environment that facilitates learning for their students.
ELEMENT A: Teachers demonstrate knowledge of current developmental science (specific to language proficiency), the ways in which learning takes place and the appropriate levels of intellectual, social and emotional development of their students.
Application for CLD teachers: The CLD teacher studies current research related to academic language acquisition and then collaborates with colleagues with expertise in the interconnectedness of academic language and content instruction to improve the quality of instruction.
QUALITY STANDARD IV
Teachers reflect on their practice.
ELEMENT A: Teachers demonstrate that they analyze student learning, development and growth and apply what they learn to improve their practice.
Application for CLD teachers: The CLD teacher collects multiple examples of student work and data points and enters data into IC. Data is displayed in Mosaic/Schoolzilla and indicates student progress over time.
References
WIDA (2013). 2012 Amplification of the English language development standards. 3rd ed.
Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, on behalf of the WIDA Consortium. www.wida.us
CDE (2017). The Colorado teacher quality standards. www.cde.org.