Designated vs Integrated ELD

What is the difference between integrated and designated ELD?

I recently participated in a discussion in which ELD instruction was described like a highway. The highway makes the shortest path accessible to all. You have your fast lane, your, middle lane, your slow lane and then there is the carpool lane. ELD instruction is instruction that follows the flow of traffic with all the cars on the road(content areas). Integrated ELD makes instruction accessible. It's the road with all the potholes fixed, the lanes fully marked, the weather clear, and the signage visibly shown. Designated ELD is like the carpool lane. It keeps the flow steady for those who would likely fall behind based on the academic load he/she carries. It runs parallel to but not separate from the typical traffic. Although not everyone can access it, all benefit from its existence. And I would dare say, like the carpool lane, it accelerates the user in the long run. Integrated ELD runs in tandem with the typical instruction. Designated ELD can also be likened to the on/off ramp, where one can stop and refuel. Designated ELD makes the carrying of multiple languages a positive in the long run. The standards for travel are NOT lowered. Getting to the destination is not only the goal but also the expectation. Here is why...

Both types of instruction are required in our district and in the state in all classrooms with English Language Learners (ELLs) daily. Both can build upon the rich cultural and linguistic assets the student brings to their education. As teachers, we are tasked with providing supports to ALL our students. The integrated process occurs simultaneously with academic content learning and is the main focus of the GLAD training received throughout the district. We need to provide academic language support during content area instruction.

Designated ELD

    1. It is structured explicit opportunities for oral and written language skill development.
    2. It is not a re-teaching of missed work or misunderstandings.
    3. Thirty minutes daily is required in the classroom in our district. While the average time spent on designated ELD will remain the same regardless of district, the structure of daily timing may differ in different districts.
    4. It is developmentally appropriate.
    5. Both Designated and Integrated are required by the state of California as they are BOTH included in the ELD/ELA Framework and ELD Standards. Additionally, Educational Civil Rights Code requires that all students linguistic needs be addressed in the classroom.

The Framework uses the term integrated ELD to refer to ELD taught throughout the day and across disciplines. All teachers with ELs in their classrooms should use the CA ELD Standards in addition to their focal CCSS for ELA/literacy and other content standards to support their EL's linguistic and academic progress.

Copy of ELD Video Choices

ELL Students in Kinder participating in Integrating ELD.

"Designated ELD is a protected time during the regular school day when teachers use the CA ELD standards as the focal standards in ways that build into and from the content in order to develop critical English language skills, knowledge, and abilities needed for content learning in English. This means that Designated ELE should not be viewed as separate and isolated from ELA, science, social studies, mathematics and other disciplines but rather as an opportunity during the regular school day to support ELs to develop the discourse practices, grammatical structures, and vocabulary necessary for successful participation in academic tasks across the content areas. During this protected time, ELs should be actively engaged in collaborative discussions where they build up their awareness about language and develop their skills and abilities to use language. Naturally, designated ELD instruction will also involve some level of reading and writing tasks as students learn to use English in new ways and develop their awareness of how English works in both spoken and written English."

from CA ELA/ELD Framework Ch 2 p 117-18 (2015)

This is a well done example of integrated vs designated ELD done by the Sabrato SEAL Program which is occurring in districts throughout California, including Fillmore, which began 2017-18. Very cool.

Pre-Instructional Planning and Design.pdf

GLAD Strategies can be used for both Designated and Integrated purposes when paired with ELD Standards. Here, the Pre-Instructional Planning for 6th Grade OSS Unit 1, uses different strategies for different purposes. The instructional strategies noted in the yellow arrow bridge the content delivered during designated instruction. Integrated instruction is marked on orange, yellow, pink, and aqua post-it notes.

Figure 2.23 from the California Department of Education delineate qualities of Designated ELD.