The primary objective of the ELD Program is to increase the English language proficiency of limited English proficient students so that they can meet state and district academic standards. Our program’s goal is to increase the students’ English language abilities so that they can fully and successfully participate in the school-wide community as well as communicate, collaborate, apply critical thinking, and creativity to a 21st Century society.To meet these goals, the program implements the use of techniques, methodology, and specially designed instruction, embedded within every content area, to teach English Learners (ELs) explicitly about the English language, including the academic vocabulary needed to access content instruction, and to develop their English language proficiency in all four language domains (i.e. speaking, listening, reading, and writing). The objectives of English instruction are the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English, so that ELs can communicate for social and instructional purposes within school settings and to increase English language skills so that they can communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success.

The goals of the English Language Development Program at Upper Perkiomen School District follows the Five WIDA ELD Standards. These five language proficiency standards include both social and academic uses of the language students must acquire for success in and beyond the classroom. The English language proficiency goals and standards are as follows:

Standard 1: English language learners communicate for social, intercultural, and instructional purposes within the school setting.

Standard 2: English language learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the area of language arts.

Standard 3: English language learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the area of mathematics.

Standard 4: English language learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the area of science.

Standard 5: English language learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the area of social studies.