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English Language Proficiency Standards highlight the
English language development goals for English Language Learners (ELLs) as
they move through levels of English proficiency in listening, speaking,
reading and writing. They are designed to guide ELL teachers in their
instruction of ELLs and to provide a bridge to South Dakota's Communication
Arts and Math content area standards.
The department established a statewide workgroup of
educators, all of whom work in the field of English Language Acquisition, to
help the department develop ELP standards that are linked to the reading,
language arts, and math content standards. The workgroup was consisted of
elementary, middle, and high school teachers as well as a school district
administrator and a university administrator, both of whom are responsible for
the development and delivery of English Language Acquisition classes to
elementary, secondary and postsecondary students.
Cut scores on the English language proficiency test are
set and reported, based on the performance descriptors, to reflect student
progress. The curriculum of the English language-learning program is aligned
with these performance descriptors. By aligning the curriculum goals and
objectives of the program to the performance descriptors, teachers are able to
track the progress of students through the program and determine their
readiness to achieve the content standards intended to be met by all South
Dakota students.
The department presented the draft of the ELP standards
at the May 17, 2004, board meeting.
The ELP standards were posted on the department’s website
for public comment from June 18 to July 7, 2004. On July 9, public comments
were considered and the ELP math standards were revised. The final version of
the ELP standards was given to the board on July 14.
Title III of the No Child Left Behind
Act of 2001 requires State Departments of Education to establish ELP
standards that relate to the development and attainment of English proficiency
by limited English proficient students. The South Dakota Board of Education
adopted the ELP standards established by the department on July 26, 2004.
View the
English Language Proficiency Standards
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