English Language Development Program
Manheim Township School District's English Development Language Program
complies with State regulation, 22 Pa. Code §4.26.
Our Mission
To advocate for English Learners in order to provide high quality language instruction focusing on improving proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking in an environment that embraces each learner’s cultural heritage while encouraging full participation in the school and local community.
English Learner Population Fast Facts
Current
English Learners
408
English Learners
Monitor
Students
143
Students
Languages
Spoken
45
Spoken
Countries
Represented
62
Represented
English Language Development (ELD) Program Faculty/Staff
District Office
District Office
Brecht Elementary
Bucher Elementary
Neff Elementary
Nitrauer Elementary
Reidenbaugh Elementary
Schaeffer Elementary
Landis Run Intermediate
Middle School
Middle School
High School
High School
High School
Program Description
The MTSD English Language Development (ELD) Program aims to increase an English Learner's (EL) social and academic language proficiency. ELD instruction is planned in order to meet each EL's unique needs in each one of the language domains - listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
ELD instruction is delivered by certified English Language Development (ELD) teachers and also by non-ELD teachers during core/content instruction. ELD instruction may happen in a classroom composed of all ELs (EL Specific English-only Instruction) or in a setting with ELs and non-ELs (Mixed Classes with English-only Support).
Both ELD and non-ELD teachers are required to provide supports for all ELs enrolled in their classes. These supports should allow ELs access to standards-aligned essential content. Accommodations but NOT modifications can be made to both instruction and assessments. Assessment tools should allow ELs to demonstrate what they have learned.
ELD instruction and schedules, including amount of instructional time, are based on an EL's individual overall language proficiency level as measured by the WIDA ACCESS Placement Test, WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0, WIDA MODEL, or WIDA Screener assessments. On each of these assessments, students can score a Level 1 (Entering), Level 2 (Beginning), Level 3 (Developing), Level 4 (Expanding), Level 5 (Bridging), or Level 6 (Reaching).
ELs who are also eligible for special education and/ or gifted services will be provided the opportunity to receive all necessary services/ supports.
The ultimate goal of the ELD Program is for an EL to acquire the language needed to be successful in school and exit the ELD program. According to guidance provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, students must be at or closely approaching Level 5 (Bridging) in order to be considered for reclassification as a Former English Learner and possibly stop receiving ELD services. Generally, the rate of transition from the program is five to seven years, depending on an individual student's needs.
Program Philosophies
As an ELD Team...
We appreciate the cultural background and prior experiences of each individual EL as a way of creating a welcoming environment and fostering more rapid learning
We believe that each student's unique cultural and linguistic background is an asset that cultivates understanding and sensitivity for all learners.
We value the use of a student's native language in order to support learning.
We believe it is important to foster a growth mindset for our students by developing growth goals in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and/or listening.
We strive to ensure that all ELs have meaningful access to all curricular and extracurricular programs.