The Cheltenham School District provides a coordinated classroom program for students who are identified as requiring instruction in the English language when this is not their native language or when they come from an environment where a language other than English is dominant. The program is considered to be basic education, aligning with reading/language arts or English instruction. The aim of this program is to increase the English language proficiency of limited English proficient students so that they can meet state and district academic standards. Furthermore, we hope to increase English language proficiency so that students can fully and successfully participate in all mainstreamed classes at an age-appropriate grade level. All of this is offered so that the student can successfully adapt to his or her new culture.

The ELD Program is based on current educational and second language acquisition theory. The ELD Program is an academic discipline designed to teach English Language Learners, (ELLs), social, (BICS), and academic language skills, (CALPS), and the cultural aspects of the English language necessary to succeed in the academic environment and contribute to society.

• Students are taught the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through a variety of interactive lessons that will ultimately be transferred into their regular classroom.
• Students are provided with emotional support during a transitional period that is, at times, both frustrating and exciting.
• Students receive instruction outside of the regular classroom or within the regular classroom with an ELD teacher.

Courses of study are correlated with the WIDA English Language Development Standards, PA Academic and Core Standards. All teachers are responsible for adapting grade level curriculum to meet the individual needs of the English Language Learners they teach.

• To provide educational experiences that prepare students for high school completion and successful transition into higher education and/or the workforce.
• To promote and support student growth within the regular education classroom.
• To collaborate with classroom teachers regarding instruction, adaptations, and grading procedures.
• To support and provide information to additional professionals, i.e. counselors, psychologists, speech therapists, MTSS teams and instructional support staff.
• To support students in becoming acclimated to the school environment and connected with the community.

The Cheltenham ELD instructional program supports students from kindergarten through twelfth grade in developing proficiency across five key areas:

• Oral language

• Listening comprehension

• Reading (including reading in the content areas)

• Writing

• Social and cultural 

Program Goals

• To communicate effectively in social settings
• To use English to achieve academic success in all content areas
• To use English in socially and culturally appropriate ways