English Learners

As an EL Department, our mission is to provide high-quality instruction that enables students to attain English language proficiency, develop high levels of academic achievement, and meet the same challenging state academic standards that all children are expected to meet.

We are collectively committed to ensuring all English Learners:

• Achieve English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in order to communicate and synthesize information effectively.
• Integrate newly acquired language skills into content subjects and areas outside of the EL/bilingual setting.
• Maintain, develop, and value their native language literacy, skills, and culture.
• Build awareness of and toward the cultural norms and expectations of the American educational system. 

Eligibility for the English Learner (EL) program is based on responses to the AASD Home Language Survey and results of the WIDA Screener, a standardized English language proficiency assessment. 

Participation is voluntary and requires parent or guardian permission. Families have the right to accept or decline any EL services.  

Students are assessed annually to measure their English language progress. Exit from the program is based on assessment results and classroom performance.

AASD's EL curriculum follows grade-level state content standards and the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Standards.

Standard 1: Social and Instructional Language
English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting. 

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

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

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

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