College of Education & Human Services

Overview

Understanding and Using the Illinois English Language Proficiency Standards

Illinois has the fifth highest number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in the United States. The state’s English Language Proficiency Standards for English Language Learners were developed and implemented by a consortium of states called WIDA (World-class Instructional Design and Assessment).

The Illinois State Board of Education adopted the standards in February 2004.

The ELP (English Language Proficiency) Standards are designed for teachers; principals; program, district, and regional administrators; test developers; teacher educators; and others involved in the education of English Language Learners. They are designed as a curriculum and instruction planning tool. They help educators determine students' ELP levels and how to appropriately challenge them to reach higher levels. They provide specific guidance for how Illinois educators are expected to modify grade level content, instruction, and assessment for ELLs.

The ELP Standards appear like rubrics. This format is used to help educators visualize the developmental nature of language acquisition across language proficiency levels and emphasize the scaffolding of language demands at each grade level cluster.

Thorough out the module, we will be referring to the English Proficiency Standards. Go to: http://www.wida.us/standards/elp.aspx to download and print your own copy of the English Proficiency Standards before continuing this module. (See the Getting Started section for more details)

NOTE: The ELP standards are available as two separate documents to reduce the size of the download. If you have any difficulty opening these documents, please make sure that your computer has the latest version of Adobe Reader installed ( http://www.adobe.com ).

Objectives

Lesson 1: Introduction to the English Proficiency Standards

  • self assess knowledge of key vocabulary for WIDA standards.
  • demonstrate understanding of organization of standards by completing graphic organizer.

Lesson 2: Performance Definitions for Classroom Assessment  

  • examine the Speaking and Writing rubrics that represent the criteria associated with linguistic complexity, language control, and vocabulary usage,
  • self assess understanding of linguistic complexity and vocabulary usage.

Lesson 3: Supporting English Language Learners While Extending Their Skills In Language and Content

  • demonstrate understanding of sensory, graphic, and interactive supports for ELLs.
  • access online sensory, graphic, and interactive supports for differentiated learning.

Getting Started

In this module, we will be referring to the WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards.Go to:http://www.wida.us/standards/elp.aspx to download and print your own copy of the English Proficiency Standards before continuing this module.

When you have accessed the WIDA site, you will find a number of resources available. For this module, we will be using the following documents. You can go to the WIDA site above or download them from here:

NOTE: The ELP standards are available as two separate documents to reduce the size of the download. If you have any difficulty opening these documents, please make sure that your computer has the latest version of Adobe Reader installed (www.adobe.com).