2025 - 2026 High School Course Bulletin
English Language Development (ELD) Program
The English Language Development (ELD) program provides high-quality English language development instruction aligned to grade-level content
standards across English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. These courses focus on helping students develop the academic
language proficiency needed to be able to learn content knowledge, skills, and processes and effectively use language to intepret and express their
learning in all core subject classes.
These courses are designed for the development of the English language, focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. ELD courses
usually begin with extensive listening and speaking practice, building on auditory and oral skills, and support the development of reading and
writing. These courses provide an explanation of grammatical structures of the English language, enabling students to progress to a more comprehensive grasp of various formal and informal styles. ELD classes may also include an orientation to the customs and culture of the diverse population in the United States. Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs) can only receive up to two English credits from ELD courses for up to four semesters
(e.g., English 9 for EMLs I, English 9 for EMLs II, English 9 for EMLs III).
These courses provide opportunities for students to develop their competency in understanding spoken English, using vocabulary and language
structures correctly in context, and engaging in extensive academic discourse. They receive instruction from grade-level curriculum resources and
complex texts that represent various genres of narration, poetry, drama, and exposition and are taught to analyze text from cultural and historical
perspectives. Valuing and promoting the home language and culture of EMLs fosters the understanding that literacy skills can be transferred across
languages. It is critical that all educators in each school collaborate to support the academic success of EMLs.
EMLs will be scheduled into English classes designed to meet their level of academic language proficiency in appropriate ways including sheltered,
co-taught, single and double periods. These courses will be aligned to the English Language Proficiency (ELP) levels 1.0-4.4 on the WIDA ACCESS
test. EMLs in mainstream English classes will receive support from an ELD teacher through co-teaching, a seminar course, or a dually-certified ELD/
ELA teacher. EMLs in mainstream English classes will also have non-EML peers to engage and interact with to further develop their English Language
Proficiency. Throughout their English Language Development Program, they will interact with non-EML peers in all other core subject areas.
