This school year has brought major shifts to English Language Development for multilingual learners within the state of Washington. With the adoption of the new WIDA (World-class Instructional Design and Assessment) ELD Standards Framework, districts across our region are taking a close look at their current programming for language learners and using this opportunity to enhance, and even restructure, how they provide services. Here’s a look at some of the key components of the WIDA ELD Standards Framework:

A Focus on Four Big Ideas

The WIDA ELD Standards Framework is grounded in four big ideas:

  • Equity of opportunity and access
  • Integration of content and language
  • Collaboration among stakeholders
  • Functional approach to language development

These ideas signal a clear shift in the beliefs surrounding how multilingual learners should be served in schools. The WIDA ELD Standards Framework is designed with the assumption that multilingual learners receive their English Language Development instruction partnered with their content instruction. This ensures MLLs are afforded equal access to rigorous grade-level instruction, regardless of language proficiency level. This integration of language and content teaching relies on collaboration among stakeholders. Where it was once acceptable to serve language learners through pull-out programs, the new standards assume that students are served within their general education classrooms through coordinated planning and/or co-teaching practices with MLL specialists. The shift to these new standards is causing districts to evaluate whether their educators have the collaborative time and structures in place to effectively serve their MLLs.

Key Language Uses

  • Narrate
  • Inform
  • Explain
  • Argue

The final big idea highlighted within the WIDA ELD Standards Framework is the functional approach to language development. After a systematic analysis of academic content standards, disciplinary practices, and research literature, four key language uses emerged. These language uses help bring focus to the language of schooling and help educators prioritize what language to focus on when planning their content and language integrated teaching. This focus ensures students have the language needed for learning within the content areas.

Want to learn more about the WIDA standards? Check out the WIDA ELD Standards Framework At a Glance document or contact the NWESD’s School Improvement and Multilingual Learning Coordinator, Kristin Cortés.