TEACHING & LEARNING
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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.
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.
