English Language Development (ELD)

The elementary program is a pull-out program for English language instruction. At the secondary level, the program is based on the needs of each student. Some students may receive sheltered English instruction, while others may participate in regular English classes and receive language acquisition support in collaboration with content area teachers. Students meet one-on-one with the teacher or in small groups at the elementary level to work on English language skills, depending on their grade and proficiency level. No grade is given, although the ELD teacher maintains an open line of communication with the parents. At both levels, various materials are utilized for instruction to provide a program that integrates language development and content while accelerating academic language acquisition and developing transferable academic skills.

The District includes all students, with appropriate accommodations, in all district-wide assessments, including the PSSA and Keystone Exams, under Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines. Additionally, the District uses the WIDA ACCESS exam to assess students yearly for language proficiency growth.

Students participating in the ELD program are required, with accommodations, to meet established academic standards and graduation requirements adopted by the Board. Although the ELD program provides instruction that meets each student's needs based on their language proficiency level, all classroom teachers also provide adequate content area support while the student is learning English to ensure achievement of academic standards.

During the initial periods of language acquisition and development, classroom teachers may opt to grade ELL students on a pass/fail basis. Otherwise, EL students receive the same grade format as their peers in their school building.

District ELD staff regularly apprise parents/guardians of their student's progress, and school communications are in the language understood by the parents whenever possible. In addition, parents and students are entitled to have a translator/interpreter with them at conferences.

EL students in the district have full access to all academic programs with accommodations for their English language proficiency level, including the Career and Technology Center, Advanced Placement, and gifted programs. In addition, they have equal access to all technology, college and career guidance, counseling and related services, and extracurricular programs.

All Elizabethtown faculty are in-serviced or provided access to professional development in ELD instructional techniques or strategies, methodology, accommodations, language acquisition, culture, and the legal rights and responsibilities of the school toward ELs and their families. In addition, a certified teacher holding a PA ELD Program Specialist Certification supervises the ELD program of instruction.

The Elizabethtown ELD Program is evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure program effectiveness and improve program implementation.

Procedures to screen, identify, place, reclassify, and monitor English Learners are standardized in the state of Pennsylvania.

Screening, Identification, and Placement

The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI, Language Minority Compliance Procedures, requires school districts to identify EL students. Therefore, LEAs have a responsibility under federal law to serve ELs who need ESL/bilingual instruction and academic support to succeed in school. See the English Learner Identification Procedure documents on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website HERE.

Reclassification, Monitoring, and Redesignation of ELs

Once ELs attain English proficiency as defined in the state reclassification procedure, they must be reclassified as former ELs. District personnel must actively monitor the academic progress of former ELs for two (2) years after reclassification. Former ELs must be reported to the state as such for a period of four years after reclassification. Further information about reclassification and exit criteria is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.

Please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website Educating English Learners section for more information.

The District makes every effort to involve English Learners (ELs) and their families in all school and community activities. An interpreter is present at the orientation if needed. The District shares information on accessing an interpreter for future questions or problems with the parents. Parent/teacher conferences to discuss the student’s progress in the ELD program are held in the fall and again in the spring. Upon enrollment in the ELD program, the District invites parents/guardians to meet with the ELD teacher either at a Parent Orientation Night or individually to discuss the goals of the ELD program and their child’s educational plan. Basic school rules and regulations, homework and attendance policies, special programs available, and district assessment policies and procedures are reviewed.

School social workers act as home, school, and community liaisons for ELD families and school personnel. They facilitate contact with community organizations providing support services to the English Learner student and their family when appropriate. School workers also work collaboratively with the Migrant Education program as needed.

EASD is firmly committed to communicating with families in their native language as often as possible. To do this, the District works with the IU to secure interpreters to attend parent conferences and other essential meetings regarding English Learner students. If an interpreter is unavailable, the District has contracted with a telephone-based interpreter service called Language Line. This service provides additional opportunities for the District to communicate with parents in their native language.