English Language Development (ELD) at Colorado SKIES Academy is a support system in place for learners who are multilingual learners, and the purpose of ELD is to develop English language proficiency as well as provide access to grade-level content. Practices include collaboration, coaching, co-teaching and direct English language and content instruction.
About ELD at CSA
Learners, whose parents have indicated that they are multilingual learners on their enrollment forms, will go through a screening process at the beginning of the year to determine eligibility into the ELD Program. Once eligibility is determined, parents are notified of their learner’s designation (NEL, LEP or Non-Qualified).
NEP learners (non-English proficient) are taught basic English communications skills. LEP (Limited English proficient) learners are taught Cognitive Academic English language skills.
Both NEP and LEP are required to take the ACCESS test (Federally mandated) each January. Scores on the test help to determine a learner’s progress through the ELD program. Services are given 3-4 times a week by the ELD facilitator. NEP learners will learn basic English, while LEP learners will learn Academic English in accordance with the curriculum taught in the classroom.
The ACCESS test will help to determine if learners are ready to move to Monitor Status. Monitor Year 1 and Year 2 learners are monitored on how they are doing with their coursework and are seen on an as-needed basis by the ELD facilitator as indicated by the learner’s progress. An open line of communication is continuously taking place between the ELD facilitator, the learner, the facilitator(s) and the parents. After Monitor Year 2, learners exit programming and are considered to be at the same English level as their native-English speaking peers. Somewhere you might also indicate that the goal/purpose of ELD is to develop English language proficiency as well as provide access to grade-level content.
ELD instruction focuses on listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Helpful Resources
Colorin Colorado is an excellent multilingual resource for parents of second-language learners as well as Charter School Institute Multilingual Learners webpage.