• English Language Development (ELD) Program  

    RESPECT and ACCEPTANCE of DIVERSITIES

    is a philosophical cornerstone of Council Rock School District.

    Council Rock is proud to have an ever-increasing population of students who speak other languages. Currently there are more than 30 languages represented in our schools. This infusion of many cultures and ethnic customs provides multiple learning experiences for Council Rock staff, students, and also our district geographic communities of Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Northampton Township, Wrightstown Township, and Upper Makefield Township.

     

    ELD Contacts

     

    Beth Fox

    Principal, Wrightstown Elementary

    bfox@crsd.org
         

    ELD Specialists

    Schools

    Email

    Carol Finnegan

    Hillcrest Elementary

    Churchville Elementary

    CRHS - North

    carol.finnegan@crsd.org

    Shanyn Heubeck

    Newtown Elementary

    Wrightstown Elementary

    Sol Feinstone Elementary

    sheubeck@crsd.org

    Kathy Bound

    Maureen M. Welch Elementary

    Holland Middle School

    kbound@crsd.org

    Maria Rounsavill

    Richboro Elementary

    Holland Elementary

    mrounsavill@crsd.org

    Krystal Eng

    CRHS - South

    Newtown Middle School

    keng@crsd.org

    LeeAnn DiFulvio

    Rolling Hills Elementary School

    Goodnoe Elementary School

    leslie.difulvio@crsd.org

     

     

    Title III & WIDA

    Title III

    Parent/Guardian Right to Refuse Service: The Pennsylvania Department of Education has instituted a parental right to refuse English Language Development (or “opt-out” of ELD) Program services and instruction. Although it is not advised, if a parent/guardian so chooses, he or she may refuse specialized services for English Learners (ELs). (This does not include a class composed of ELs and non-ELs in which ELD is supported through content instruction.)

    If you are interested in learning more about your right to refuse ELD services for your child, please contact Dr. Elliott or Mrs. Fox.

    WIDA

    Pennsylvania is part of the World-Class Instructional Design & Assessment (WIDA) standards for English learners (ELs) consortium. More information about WIDA can be found in the links below.

     

    WIDA Standards

     

    WIDA Can-Do Descriptors

     

    WIDA Performance Definitions

     

    WIDA Access

     Placement, Program Eligibility, and Exit Criteria

     

    ELD assessments assist educators with programmatic decisions such as identification and placement of ELs. 

     

    WIDA Screener

    WIDA Screener English language proficiency assessment given to incoming students from Grades 1-12 that have registered for classes who may be designated as English language learners.  Kindergarten students will be given the Kindergarten WIDA Access Placement Test (KW-APT).  For more information on the WIDA Screener, please click the link here.

    Program Eligibility

    A student may be eligible to receive ELD services if one of the following criteria is identified:

    • Not born in the United States and comes from an environment where a language other than English was dominant.
    • Born in the United States and English is not the primary language at home.

    Students are then assessed using the W-APT (WIDA Access Placement Test). The W-APT is an English language proficiency “screener” test given to incoming students who may be designated to receive EL services.

    The test is divided into five grade clusters and each form on the test assesses the language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The test incorporates questions in the areas of science, social studies, math, Language Arts, and social and instructional language.

    Based on the student’s score, it is then determined if the student qualifies for ELD services.

    Parents receive notification regarding a student’s entry into or exit from the program. They also receive periodic progress updates from the ELD Specialist in addition to quarterly student report cards.

    Exit Criteria

    The Council Rock School District follows the exit criteria as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. 
    For more information about the exit criteria, please click the link here.