WORLD-CLASS INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT
English Language Prociency Standards
and Resource Guide
2007 Edition
PreKindergarten through Grade 12
SEVENTH PRINTING
WORLD-CLASS INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT
English Language Prociency Standards
and Resource Guide
2007 Edition
PreKindergarten through Grade 12
SEVENTH PRINTING
Copyright Notice
e WIDA English Language Prociency Standards and Resource Guide, 2007 Edition, Pre-
Kindergarten through Grade 12 (“WIDA ELP Standards”) are owned by the Board of Regents of the
University of Wisconsin System on behalf of the WIDA Consortium. e WIDA ELP Standards
are protected by United States copyright laws and may not be reproduced, modied, or distributed,
including posting, without the prior written permission of the Wisconsin Center for Education
Research (WCER) and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. e WIDA
ELP Standards are for your personal, noncommercial use only. You may not alter or remove any
trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of this booklet.
Fair use of the WIDA ELP Standards includes reproduction for the purpose of teaching (including
multiple copies for lesson planning). If you are not sure whether your use of this booklet and the
WIDA ELP Standards falls within fair use or if you want permission to use the copyrighted WIDA
ELP Standards for purposes other than personal or fair use, please contact the WIDA Consortium
intellectual property manager, Jim Lyne, at [email protected] or (608) 265-2262.
© 2007 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, on behalf of the WIDA
Consortium—www.wida.us.
Second printing, 2008
ird printing, 2009
Fourth printing, 2010
Fifth printing, 2011
Sixth printing, 2012
Seventh printing, 2013
2013 WIDA Consortium Members
ii
Alabama
Alaska
Colorado
Delaware
District of Columbia
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Foreword: The WIDA English Language Prociency Standards and Resource Guide
Over the past three decades, teachers, administrators, and researchers alike have been grappling
with two related concepts that pertain to the education of English language learners (ELLs). e
rst involves dening the increasingly abstract and challenging language demands found within
classroom environments known commonly as “academic language.” e second revolves around
embedding language instruction within content instruction rather than as a separate subject or as
a prerequisite to the learning of academic content. In other words, content topics can provide the
context for language teaching that makes teaching language more authentic and meaningful while
simultaneously targeting content area goals.
More recently, many researchers have argued for a content area or discipline-specic dimension
to academic language. Ken Hyland, in his text English for Academic Purposes (2006), agrees that
language is best taught through specic academic disciplines rather than attempting to identify a
more general academic language that cuts across disciplines. e problem with assuming a common
“core” of academic language is that it ignores the nuances and complexities of language meaning and
use that vary from one subject area to the next.
Organizing academic language around specic content areas is one of the key principles that the
WIDA Consortium has used to structure its English language prociency (ELP) standards and
assessments. e goal for using this organizational scheme is that educators working with ELLs are
able to see more clearly how “the language of science,” for example, can be explicitly taught within
science content lessons, English as a second language (ESL) support classes, or in dual language
contexts.
WIDA distinguishes itself in many ways related to its products and services. e innovative, research-
based design of its ELP standards is the central dening feature of the WIDA system. All of WIDA’s
subsequent work has relied on the ELP Standards as its blueprint. e benets are, in a nutshell,
better tools and resources for teachers to promote the teaching, learning and assessment of content
and language for our growing population of ELLs. We invite you to explore our Resource Guide to
understand the versatility in using WIDA’s ELP standards.
Timothy Boals, Ph.D.
Executive Director
WIDA Consortium
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Introduction ............................................................... RG-5
1.1 About WIDA ................................................................. RG-5
1.2 About the WIDA English Language Prociency (ELP) Standards ........................ RG-6
1.3 Changes and Clarications from the 2004 to 2007 Editions of the WIDA ELP
Standards .................................................................... RG-7
Section 2: e ELP Standards and their Components ....................................... RG-9
2.1 Organization of the ELP Standards ................................................ RG-9
2.2 e Frameworks .............................................................. RG-9
2.3 e English Language Prociency Standards ........................................ RG-9
2.4 e Language Domains ........................................................ RG-11
2.5 e Language Prociency Levels ................................................. RG-12
Section 3: Model Performance Indicators (MPIs) and their Elements .......................... RG-14
3.1 Strands of MPIs .............................................................. RG-15
- An Example Topic Strand and an Example Genre Strand ............................ RG-15
3.2 Language Functions .......................................................... RG-16
3.3 Supports .................................................................... RG-20
- Sensory Supports ............................................................ RG-21
- Graphic Supports ........................................................... RG-22
- Interactive Supports ......................................................... RG-24
3.4 Example Topics and Genres .................................................... RG-25
- Grade Level Cluster PreKindergarten-Kindergarten ................................ RG-26
- Grade Level Cluster 1-2 ...................................................... RG-27
- Grade Level Cluster 3-5 ...................................................... RG-28
- Grade Level Cluster 6-8 ...................................................... RG-29
- Grade Level Cluster 9-12 ..................................................... RG-30
3.5 Examples (e.g.,) .............................................................. RG-31
- Teacher Talk ................................................................ RG-31
- Student Speak .............................................................. RG-31
- Text Talk ................................................................... RG-32
- Specic Supports ............................................................ RG-32
- Subtopics .................................................................. RG-33
Section 4: Working with the Standards .................................................. RG-34
4.1 Transformations: Strategies for Designing Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction ........ RG-34
- Transformation of Language Functions .......................................... RG-35
- Transformation of Supports ................................................... RG-36
- Transformation of Topics ..................................................... RG-37
4.2 Reviewing Original Strands of MPIs .............................................. RG-39
4.3 Collaboration among Educators Serving English Language Learners (ELLs) ............... RG-39
- Ideas for Collaboration in Planning Instructional Assessment ......................... RG-40
- Ideas for Collaboration in Instructing and Assessing ELLs ........................... RG-40
- Ideas for Collaboration in Evaluating Student Results ............................... RG-41
Section 5: Standards-Based Resources ................................................... RG-43
5.1 e Relationship among Performance Denitions, CAN DO Descriptors and the Levels of
English Language Prociency ................................................... RG-43
5.2 Performance Denitions for the Levels of English Language Prociency .................. RG-44
- Linguistic Complexity ........................................................ RG-46
- Vocabulary Usage ............................................................ RG-46
- Language Control ........................................................... RG-47
5.3 Speaking and Writing Rubrics for Classroom Assessment ............................. RG-54
5.4 e CAN DO Descriptors for WIDA’s Levels of English Language Prociency ............ RG-57
PreK-K Example Topics and Genres .........................................................1
PreK-K ELP Standards ................................................................. 2-11
Grades 1-2 Example Topics and Genres .....................................................13
Grades 1-2 ELP Standards ............................................................. 14-25
Grades 3-5 Example Topics and Genres .....................................................27
Grades 3-5 ELP Standards ............................................................. 28-39
Grades 6-8 Example Topics and Genres .....................................................41
Grades 6-8 ELP Standards ............................................................. 42-53
Grades 9-12 Example Topics and Genres ....................................................55
Grades 9-12 ELP Standards ............................................................ 56-67
Appendix 1: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) .............................................68
Appendix 2: References and Further Readings ................................................70
Appendix 3: Glossary ....................................................................71
Appendix 4: Acknowledgments
............................................................74
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Resource Guide
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1A: Dierences between WIDA’s 2007 and 2004 Editions of the PreK-12 ELP
Standards ........................................................................ RG-8
Figure 2A: e English Language Prociency Standards and their Abbreviations ................. RG-10
Figure 2B: What is the language English language learners need to process or produce to... ? ........ RG-11
Figure 2C: e Continuum of Second Language Acquisition ................................ RG-12
Figure 3A: Elements of a Model Performance Indicator (MPI) ............................... RG-14
Figure 3B: A Strand of Model Performance Indicators with an Example Topic .................. RG-15
Figure 3C: A Strand of Model Performance Indicators with an Example Genre .................. RG-16
Figure 3D: Understanding the Cognitive Complexity of Language Functions ................... RG-17
Figure 3E: Repeating Language Functions within a Strand .................................. RG-17
Figure 3F: Some Instances of the Language Function “Describe” in MPIs from Grades 3-5 ........ RG-18
Figure 3G: Examples of Sensory, Graphic and Interactive Supports ........................... RG-21
Figure 3H: Specic Examples of Sensory Supports ......................................... RG-21
Figure 3J: Examples of Use of Graphic Organizers across the ELP Standards .................... RG-23
Figure 3K: Native Language Support ................................................... RG-24
Figure 3L: Example Topics and Genres ARE/ARE NOT… .................................. RG-25
Figure 4A: Language Function Transformation from Listening to Speaking ..................... RG-35
Figure 4B: Language Function Transformation from Writing to Reading ....................... RG-35
Figure 4C: Support Transformation from Summative to Formative Frameworks .................. RG-36
Figure 4D: Support Transformation: Addition of Graphic Support ............................ RG-36
Figure 4E: Topic Transformation within an ELP Standard ................................... RG-37
Figure 4F: Topic Transformation across ELP Standards ...................................... RG-38
Figure 4G: WIDA Checklist for Reviewing Strands of MPIs ................................. RG-39
Figure 5A: e Relationship among WIDA’s Strands of Model Performance Indicators, ELP
Standards, CAN DO Descriptors and Performance Denitions ............................ RG-44
Figure 5B: Performance Denitions .................................................... RG-45
Figure 5C: Examples of General, Specic and Technical Language across the Grade Level Clusters
and ELP Standards ................................................................ RG-46
Figure 5D: Grade Level Cluster 3-5 Example Writing Prompt ................................ RG-48
Figure 5E: Emile’s Writing Sample from Grades 3-5: Language Prociency Level Score of 2 ........ RG-49
Figure 5F: Maxine’s Writing Sample from Grades 3-5: Language Prociency Level Score of 6 ....... RG-49
Figure 5G: Grade Level Cluster 6-8 Example Writing Prompt ................................ RG-51
Figure 5H: Tazak’s Writing Sample from Grades 6-8: Language Prociency Level Score of 2 ........ RG-52
Figure 5J: Felipe’s Writing Sample from Grades 6-8: Language Prociency Level Score of 5 ........ RG-53
Figure 5K: WIDA Speaking Rubric: Summary Chart of Speaking Performance Expectations ....... RG-55
Figure 5L: WIDA Writing Rubric: Summary Chart of Writing Performance Expectations ......... RG-56
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Figure 5M: CAN DO Descriptors for the Levels of English Language Prociency, PreK-12 ........ RG-58
Figure 5N: CAN DO Descriptors Spanish Translation, PreK-12 (Descripción de las Habilidades en los
Niveles del Lenguaje Académico del Inglés, PreK-12) ..................................... RG-59
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Resource Guide
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
e WIDA English Language Prociency Standards and Resource Guide, 2007 Edition, PreKindergarten
through Grade 12, is a key component of the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment
(WIDA) Consortium’s assessment system. First published in 2004, the WIDA English Language
Prociency (ELP) Standards were developed by consortium members with funding from a U.S.
Department of Education Enhanced Assessment Grant. e second edition reects an evolving
understanding of the needs of English language learners (ELLs) and their educators and of the use of
the standards as the foundation for instruction and assessment.
is Resource Guide accompanies and is to be used with the 2007 Edition. It organizes and
consolidates information from a variety of sources: the lists of social and academic content-based
example topics are extensions of those identied in the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other
Languages’ (TESOL) 2006 PreK-12 English Language Prociency Standards; the Speaking and Writing
Rubrics come from ACCESS for ELLs®
1
and W-APT™
2
Administration Manuals; and the CAN DO
Descriptors are taken from the ACCESS for ELLs® Interpretive Guide for Score Reports (available at
www.wida.us). Other information has been updated from the 2004 Edition.
e purpose of this Resource Guide is to provide teachers and administrators with tools to aid in the
design of curriculum, instruction and assessment for ELLs. It is devoted to the use and application
of information contained within the standards’ frameworks. As it is not an implementation guide,
there are no samples of instructional assessment strategies, examples of dierentiated instruction
and assessment, nor are there lesson or unit designs. We acknowledge that a handbook of this nature
would be tremendously useful and our plans include creating a series of modules in the not too
distant future.
1.1 About WIDA
In 2013, the WIDA Consortium includes 33 states and territories: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado,
Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Combined, the WIDA member states enroll over one million K-12 ELLs. Grounded in scientically-
based research on best educational practices in general and English as a Second Language (ESL)
and bilingual education in particular, WIDA created and adopted its comprehensive ELP standards
(2004, 2007) that address the need for students to become fully procient in both social and
academic English. e WIDA ELP Standards along with their strands of model performance
indicators—which represent social, instructional and academic language—have been augmented by
TESOL as the national model.
Based on the WIDA ELP Standards, WIDA developed a K-12 ELP test—ACCESS for ELLs®—
1
Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners
2
WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test
Resource Guide
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which became fully operational in spring 2005. Validation studies along with item refreshment and
enhancement are ongoing. A screener, the W-APT™, has also been created from the ELP standards
to aid in the identication and placement of ELLs. e WIDA MODEL™ for Kindergarten through
Grade 12 assessments are available for both placement and interim testing purposes. ese test kits
can be purchased by both consortium and non-consortium members. Furthermore, development of
alternate strands of MPIs along with aligned tasks to measure the progress of ELLs with signicant
cognitive disabilities is underway.
Concurrently, WIDA has provided extensive professional development activities related to its
standards and assessments. In addition, WIDA has established and continues to update a web site
(www.wida.us). Research, alignment studies and federally-funded projects to develop academic
assessments for ELLs are the other major components of the work of the WIDA Consortium.
e Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is
the home of the WIDA Consortium. In addition to its relationship with WCER, WIDA partners
with the Center for Applied Linguistics (www.cal.org) for test development and professional
development; MetriTech, Inc. (www.metritech.org) for the printing, distributing, scoring, and
reporting of ACCESS for ELLs®; and many other consultants and organizations with expertise in the
education of ELLs.
1.2 About the WIDA English Language Prociency (ELP) Standards
e WIDA ELP Standards are designed for the many audiences in the eld of education who
are impacted by ELLs. ese audiences include: ELLs and their family members; teachers;
principals; program, district and regional administrators; test developers; teacher educators; and
other stakeholders in the educational lives of ELLs. By developing the ELP standards, the WIDA
Consortium has responded to demands to link language learning with state academic content
standards and to address educators’ needs in three dierent areas: 1). Pedagogy, 2). Assessment, and
3). Educational policy.
e development of WIDA’s ELP standards has been in response to recent educational change
brought about through theory, research and legislation. First, the vision of language prociency has
expanded to encompass both social contexts associated with language acquisition and academic
contexts tied to schooling in general, and particularly to standards, curriculum and instruction.
Second, the WIDA ELP Standards have been designed, in part, to guide the development of test
blueprints, task specications and ELP measures. us, the language prociency standards are
envisioned as the rst step in the construction of reliable and valid assessment tools for ELLs. Finally,
the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) and corresponding state statutes currently
mandate that states administer a standards-based English language prociency test annually to all
ELLs in Kindergarten through grade twelve in public schools.
For further discussion of the theoretical rationale behind the WIDA ELP Standards and the process
involved in their genesis, please see the 2004 Overview Document located in the ELP Standards
section of www.wida.us.
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Resource Guide
1.3 Changes and Clarications from the 2004 to 2007 Editions of the WIDA
ELP Standards
e ve English language prociency standards are identical in both editions! While the standards
remain xed, there has been some updating; changes in the features of WIDA’s ELP standards in this
2007 Edition are noted in Figure 1A.
e most prominent dierence between the two editions is the creation of the PreK-K grade level
cluster. ere were several reasons for this revision. Most signicantly, Kindergarten ELLs function
much dierently than grade levels 1-2 on the ACCESS for ELLs® test. As PreK-K children are
developmentally and linguistically unique, especially in terms of literacy development, the member
states of the Consortium agreed that establishing their own grade level cluster was warranted for both
instructional and assessment purposes.
e second most notable dierence has been the expansion of our English language prociency levels
from ve to six. Again, as a result of implementing ACCESS for ELLs®, we realized that there was
not a designation for those students who reached the far end of the second language continuum.
us, we added ‘Reaching’ to both our English language prociency test and standards. Our
Performance Denitions (see Section 5.2) have also expanded to include level 6, while our strands of
model performance indicators (MPIs) remain descriptive through level 5.
Some of the information within the standards’ matrices has been reformatted for ease of use. We
have renamed the frameworks to specify how language prociency information is to be used: on an
ongoing, formative basis or a cumulative, summative basis. In the 2007 Edition, we provide some
example topics, derived from state academic content standards, in a separate column to the left of the
strand of MPIs to assist teachers in providing the context for their students’ language development.
Strands of MPIs are now arranged by language domain rather than grade level cluster; in this way,
teachers may more readily focus on grade-level appropriate ideas to plan instruction and assessment.
By visiting www.wida.us, it is also possible to “Search the Standards” for a particular framework,
grade level cluster, language domain, example genre or topic or key word.
In addition, we have expanded the number of strands of MPIs for Standard 2- the language of
Language Arts. For each language domain and grade level cluster we oer an example genre and an
example topic.
Finally, we have extended the availability of supports within the MPIs through ELP level 4,
Expanding. Interactive supports play a prominent role, especially within the Formative Framework,
as ELLs need time to practice language with their peers within an instructional setting. Figure
1A highlights these changes in the features of the standards’ matrices between the 2004 and 2007
Editions.
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Figure 1A: Differences between WIDA’s 2007 and 2004 Editions of the
PreK-12 ELP Standards
2007 2004
• Formative and Summative Frameworks for
Assessment and Instruction
• 5 grade level clusters: PreK-K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8 and
9-12
• Arranged by language domain; listening and
speaking, reading and writing
• 6 levels of English language prociency: 1.
Entering, 2. Beginning, 3. Developing, 4.
Expanding, 5. Bridging and 6. Reaching
• Example topics, drawn from state and national
academic content standards, listed for each
language domain and presented in the left-hand
column of the matrices
• Example genre strands of model performance
indicators, drawn from state and national
academic content standards, listed for each
language domain and presented in the left-hand
column of the matrices, alternate with topic
strands in Standard 2
• Sensory, graphic and/or interactive support
present in model performance indicators through
language prociency level 4
• Classroom and Large-scale State Assessment
Frameworks
• 4 grade level clusters: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12
• Arranged by grade level cluster, displaying all
grades on the same page
• 5 levels of English language prociency: 1.
Entering, 2. Beginning, 3. Developing, 4.
Expanding and 5. Bridging
• Example topics, drawn from state academic
content standards, embedded within the strands
of model performance indicators
• Genre strands not systematically treated in
Standard 2
• Sensory and/or graphic support present in model
performance indicators no higher than language
prociency level 3
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Resource Guide
SECTION 2: THE ELP STANDARDS AND THEIR
COMPONENTS
2.1 Organization of the ELP Standards
ere are ve WIDA English Language Prociency (ELP) Standards, which appear in two
frameworks: Summative and Formative. e two frameworks can be used for planning curriculum,
instruction and assessment of English language learners (ELLs). e common elements of the
two frameworks are the 1). ELP standards, 2). language domains, 3). grade level clusters and 4).
language prociency levels. Overlaying the standards are the Performance Denitions that describe
each level of language prociency (see Section 5.2). ese denitions, by describing the stages of
second language acquisition, provide a guide for developing original strands of model performance
indicators (MPIs).
2.2 The Frameworks
e primary focus of the Summative Framework for instruction and assessment is to identify the
range of MPIs that describe the outcomes of learning. In addition, it is intended to provide students,
teachers and test developers with ways for ELLs to demonstrate their developing English language
prociency over an extended period of time. e strands of MPIs in the Summative Framework,
focusing on the products of learning, can be readily converted to ongoing, formative information on
ELLs. For example, rather than relying on pictures or illustrations, as suggested in the Summative
Framework, individual teachers may substitute real-life objects or manipulatives to use in both
assessment and instruction. To learn more about transformations, see Section 4.1.
e Formative Framework for instruction and assessment, on the other hand, is geared toward
guiding student learning and teacher instruction on an ongoing basis. e Formative Framework
is intended to capture those aspects of instruction that are less typically measured by a test but
are important to teaching and learning. For example, interactive support within the Formative
Framework gives students opportunities to work as partners or in small groups, receive immediate
feedback from peers or teachers, engage in self-assessment during long-term projects, and integrate
technology into their assignments.
2.3 The English Language Prociency Standards
e ve ELP standards are identical for the Formative and Summative Frameworks. ey reect
the social and academic language expectations of ELLs in grades PreK-12 attending schools in the
United States. Each ELP standard addresses a specic context for language acquisition (Social and
Instructional settings as well as Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies) and is
divided into ve grade level clusters: PreK-K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
Overall, the ELP standards center on the language needed and used by ELLs to succeed in school. So
not to confuse these standards with academic content standards, the abbreviations shown in Figure
2A are used.
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Figure 2A: The English Language Prociency Standards and their Abbreviations
Standard Abbreviation
English Language
Prociency
Standard 1
English language learners communicate for Social
and Instructional purposes within the school setting
Social and
Instructional
language
English Language
Prociency
Standard 2
English language learners communicate
information, ideas and concepts necessary for
academic success in the content area of Language
Arts
e language of
Language Arts
English Language
Prociency
Standard 3
English language learners communicate
information, ideas and concepts necessary for
academic success in the content area of Mathematics
e language of
Mathematics
English Language
Prociency
Standard 4
English language learners communicate
information, ideas and concepts necessary for
academic success in the content area of Science
e language of
Science
English Language
Prociency
Standard 5
English language learners communicate
information, ideas and concepts necessary for
academic success in the content area of Social
Studies
e language of
Social Studies
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Resource Guide
When thinking about how to represent the WIDA English language prociency standards using the
strands of model performance indicators, ask….
Figure 2B: What is the language English language learners need to
process or produce to... ?
Describe…. Sequence…
Explain…. Classify or categorize…
Compare and contrast…. Predict….
Evaluate… Question…
Identify… Match…
e language associated with the example functions listed above can become the language targets for
assessment and instruction for ELLs. ese language targets include vocabulary, multiple meanings,
structures, and discourse. Furthermore, these targets should be dierentiated by prociency level and
grade or grade level cluster.
2.4 The Language Domains
Each of the ve English language prociency standards encompasses four language domains that
dene how ELLs process and use language:
• Listening- process, understand, interpret, and evaluate spoken language in a variety of
situations
• Speaking- engage in oral communication in a variety of situations for a variety of purposes
and audiences
• Reading- process, understand, interpret, and evaluate written language, symbols and text with
understanding and uency
• Writing- engage in written communication in a variety of situations for a variety of purposes
and audiences
e ELP standards are arranged by grade level cluster, by framework, by standard, and by language
domain. e language domain is listed on the rst left-hand column in the standards’ matrices.
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2.5 The Language Prociency Levels
e ve language prociency levels outline the progression of language development in the
acquisition of English as an additional language, from 1, Entering the process, to 6, Reaching the
end of the continuum. e language prociency levels delineate expected performance and describe
what ELLs can do within each language domain of the standards for designated grade level clusters.
By mapping the stages of English language development onto a continuum of second language
acquisition, we begin to dene the levels of English language prociency. A series of features
descriptive of the second language acquisition process may be superimposed onto the continuum, as
presented in Figure 2C, that help us chart the developmental progression.
Figure 2C: The Continuum of Second Language Acquisition
Each of these seven sets of features represents the beginning and end points of the second language
acquisition curriculum. e characteristics of each level of English language prociency are dened
as movement along the continuum, from Level 1, Entering, through Level 6, Reaching.
Acquiring an additional language is a complex undertaking. e sets of features identied above
describe ELLs’ understanding and use of English at each level of language prociency, but these
features must be combined with personal characteristics of each student as well. ELLs are a
tremendously heterogenous and diverse group of students. is variability can be attributed to the
students’:
• Varying ages and grade level spans;
• Diagnoses (such as learning disabilities);
• Linguistic and cultural backgrounds; and
• Dierences in their life and educational experiences.
Concrete ideas and concepts Abstract ideas and concepts
Explicit meaning Implicit meaning
Familiar situations Unfamiliar situations
Informal registers TO Formal registers
General vocabulary Technical vocabulary
Single words and phrases Extended discourse
Non-conventional forms Conventional forms
WIDA’s levels of English language proficiency
Entering (1) Reaching (6)
e second language acquisition process involves the gradual scaffolding from:
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Resource Guide
Consider, for example, how maturational dierences distinguish the academic language of PreK-K
students from that of high school students. Similarly, the language development of a student with a
strong educational background in his or her native language is dierent from that of a student who
has been highly mobile or with limited formal schooling. us, student characteristics need to be
considered when using the information presented in the components of the standards’ frameworks.
is section has provided a brief overview of the ELP standards and their components for educators
not familiar with their organization. It has also oered some necessary background information on
the English language acquisition process which has informed the development of the MPIs across the
ELP levels.
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SECTION 3: MODEL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (MPIS)
AND THEIR ELEMENTS
A model performance indicator (MPI) is a single cell within the standards’ matrices that describes a
specic level of English language prociency (ELP) for a language domain. An MPI is the smallest
unit of a topical strand. Figure 3A shows the three essential elements of an MPI, and an example
(“e.g.”), which is not essential. Each of these elements is discussed in further detail starting with
Section 3.2.
e rst word of an MPI is its language function; that is, how English language learners (ELLs)
process or use language to communicate in a variety of situations. e example topic relates the
context or backdrop for language interaction within school. e language focus for the content
related to the topic may be social, instructional or academic, depending on the standard. Finally,
there is some form of support (sensory, graphic or interactive) for ELLs through language
prociency level 4, as it provides a necessary avenue for ELLs to access meaning. You will learn more
about the optional element of MPIs, the example (“e.g.”), in section 3.5.
Figure 3A: Elements of a Model Performance Indicator (MPI)
Describe representations of basic operations from pictures of everyday
objects and oral descriptions (e.g., “ere are seven dogs altogether.”)
Language Function Example Topic Support
Example (e.g.)
Standards Reference
Framework: Summative
Standard 3: e language of Mathematics
Grade level cluster: 1-2
Language domain: Speaking
English language prociency level: 3- Developing
Example Topic: Basic operations
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Resource Guide
3.1 Strands of MPIs
A strand of MPIs consists of the ve levels of English language prociency for a given topic
and language domain, from Entering (1) through Bridging (5). e horizontal strands of MPIs
illustrate the progression of language development for a given grade level cluster. Strands of MPIs
characteristically are:
• thematically connected through common example topics or genres that have been identied
from state academic content standards
• scaolded from one language prociency level (or MPI) to the next, based on the criteria of
the Performance Denitions; namely, linguistic complexity, vocabulary usage and language
control
• developmentally appropriate, designed for ELLs at a specied grade level cluster
• academically rigorous, with the highest level of English language prociency (Reaching)
corresponding to language expectations of procient English speakers at the highest grade
level of the cluster
An Example Topic Strand and an Example Genre Strand
Strands of MPIs for Standard 2—the language of Language Arts—are unique in that both example
topics and example genres are identied for each language domain. ELLs need to have the language
to access the content associated with the many types of discourse they encounter in Language Arts.
In state academic content standards, topics and genres are addressed; subsequently, they are both
included as strands.
In Figure 3B, the example topic is introduced and scaolded across the levels of English language
prociency. As the strand unfolds for writing, the MPIs illustrate expectations for ELLs in third
through fth grades in their use of editing and revising strategies.
Figure 3B: A Strand of Model Performance Indicators with an Example Topic
Level 1
Entering
Level 2
Beginning
Level 3
Developing
Level 4
Expanding
Level 5
Bridging
Produce personal
word/phrase lists
from labeled
pictures
and check with a
partner for edits
and revision
Create phrases/
short sentences
from models
and check with a
partner for edits
and revision
Edit and
revise guided
writing (e.g.,
for conventions
and structures)
based on teacher
feedback
Edit and revise
writing (e.g.,
using word
processing or
rubrics) based
on class or peer
reviews
Self-assess to edit
and revise writing
to produce nal
drafts
Standards Reference
Framework: Formative Language domain: Writing
Standard: 2- e language of Language Arts Example topic: Editing and revising
Grade level cluster: 3-5
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e genres from both ctional and expository text provide the backdrop for the introduction of
specic topics. Genre strands may be used independently or in conjunction with example topics
for a given grade level cluster. e same genre strands appear in both the Formative and Summative
Frameworks. e dierence between the examples in the two frameworks is in the forms of supports.
Whereas the Summative Framework relies exclusively on the types of sensory or graphic supports
most commonly employed in large-scale assessment, the Formative Framework, being closest to day-
to-day classroom practices, contains interactive supports including working with partners, using the
native language (L1) or integrating technology to bolster English language development.
In Figure 3C, we see how the type of discourse, as exemplied in the genre, Adventures, inuences
middle school students’ comprehension as they move through the levels of English language
prociency.
3.2 Language Functions
e following sections describe in more detail each element of an MPI: the language function,
support and example topic (refer to Figure 3A). MPIs may also contain an example (e.g.); these
individual elements can be applied in the design of curriculum, instruction and assessment for ELLs.
Language functions describe how students communicate a message. ey are not to be equated with
the cognitive complexity involved in the communication. As shown in Figure 3D, support is built
into the MPIs so that even ELLs at lower levels of English language prociency can demonstrate
their understanding of the language associated with content by engaging in higher levels of thinking.
Figure 3C: A Strand of Model Performance Indicators with an Example Genre
Level 1
Entering
Level 2
Beginning
Level 3
Developing
Level 4
Expanding
Level 5
Bridging
Identify words or
phrases associated
with adventures
using visual support
and word/phrase
walls or banks
Answer WH-
questions related
to adventures using
visual support (e.g.,
“Who is missing?”)
and share with a
peer
Sequence plots of
adventures using
visual support and
share with a peer
Summarize plots of
adventures using
visual support and
share with a peer
Identify cause and
eect of events
on characters in
adventure stories
Standards Reference
Framework: Formative Language domain: Reading
Standard:
2- e language of Language Arts Example genre: Adventures
Grade level cluster: 6-8
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Resource Guide
Figure 3D: Understanding the Cognitive Complexity of Language Functions
ELLs are expected to “sort or classify,” demanding a high level of cognitive engagement that
requires students to analyze information. By having diagrams available as support for ELLs,
students are able to exhibit this complex thinking even at the Beginning level of English language
prociency.
Level 2
Beginning
Sort or classify
descriptive phrases
and diagrams by
cycles or processes
e identical language functions can operate across levels of English language prociency within a
given grade level cluster. What dierentiates a lower from higher level of prociency is the amount
and complexity of discourse and/or the expected vocabulary usage, as illustrated in the Performance
Denitions (see Figure 5B). For instance, see the partial strand of MPIs in Figure 3E.
Language functions always operate within the context of a standard and strand of MPIs. Although
the identical language functions are used throughout the standards’ matrices, each function
represents the language specied for the particular standard and topical strand. Charting the
instances of language functions across standards gives teachers insight into how they might be used
for assessment and instruction.
Figure 3E: Repeating Language Functions within a Strand
In the following strand of MPIs, two instances of the language function “Produce…in response”
appear. While the Entering or Level 1 ELL is to produce single words, the Beginning or Level 2
student is expected to produce phrases or short sentences, which is reective of a higher level of
language prociency.
Level 1
Entering
Level 2
Beginning
Produce words in
response to WH-
questions about
self from picture
prompts and
models
Produce phrases
or short sentences
in response to
personal, open-
ended questions
from picture
prompts
Standards Reference
Framework: Summative
Standard: 4- e language of Science
Grade level cluster: 6-8
Language domain: Reading
Example Topic: Cycles/Processes
Standards Reference
Framework: Summative
Standard: 1- Social and Instructional language
Grade level cluster: 3-5
Language domain: Speaking
Example Topic: Personal Information/Opinions
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From the examples in Figure 3F below, we see that the language function “describe” in grade cluster
3-5 appears in:
• Formative and Summative Frameworks
• Productive language domains (speaking and writing)
• Primarily mid-range language prociency levels (2- Beginning, 3- Developing, 4- Expanding)
• All 5 English language prociency standards
Figure 3F: Some Instances of the Language Function “Describe” in MPIs from
Grades 3-5
Level 2
Beginning
Describe
health or safety
practices around
school, home
or community
from visuals (e.g.,
pedestrian safety)
in L1 or L2
Framework: Formative
Standard: 1- Social and Instructional language
Language domain: Writing
Example Topic: Health and Safety
Framework: Formative
Standard: 2- e language of Language Arts
Language domain: Speaking
Example Genre: Fantasies
Level 2
Beginning
Describe pictures
of imaginary
people, objects or
situations to peers
in L1 or L2
Level 2
Beginning
Describe story
elements of
various genres
supported by
illustrations
Framework: Summative
Standard: 2- e language of Language Arts
Language domain: Speaking
Example Topic: Story elements and types of
genres
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Resource Guide
Level 2
Beginning
Describe what
the fractional
parts mean from
diagrams or realia
in phrases or short
sentences
Framework: Formative
Standard: 3- e language of Mathematics
Language domain: Writing
Example Topic: Fractions
Level 4
Expanding
Describe strategies
or tips for
solving problems
involving fractions
from diagrams in
paragraph form
Level 3
Developing
Describe
attributes of
three-dimensional
shapes from
labeled models
Framework: Summative
Standard: 3- e language of Mathematics
Language domain: Writing
Example Topic: ree-dimensional shapes
Level 2
Beginning
Describe natural
phenomena from
real-life examples
using general
vocabulary (e.g.,
“is leaf has ve
points.”) in small
groups
Framework: Formative
Standard: 4- e language of Science
Language domain: Speaking
Example Topic: Nature
Level 2
Beginning
Describe
communities or
regions depicted
in pictures or
maps
Framework: Summative
Standard: 5- e language of Social Studies
Language domain: Writing
Example Topic: Communities & regions
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e language used to “describe” natural phenomena for Standard 4 is quite unlike that of Standard
3, where students “describe” fractional parts. Working with seashell collections as an example of
Standard 4, the language target may be for students to describe tactile or visual qualities, such as “the
shell is rough”, “the shell is smooth”. Working with pizzas as an example of Standard 3, on the other
hand, the language target may be for students at the Beginning level to practice the phrase, X of Y
(e.g., 3 of 5; 2 of 6; 4 of 8) to “describe” a fractional part.
Likewise, although both within the writing domain, the language associated with “describing”
Standard 1’s example topic, health or safety practices, is distinct from that for “describing”
communities or regions, the example topic for Standard 5. Whereas in Standard 1, Beginning
ELLs might be expressing commands, such as “Go out.” or “Stay in.”, in Standard 5, the same level
students might be using such expressions as “near” or “far from here.”
In summary, to develop the academic language necessary for success in school, ELLs must have
opportunities to use and apply language patterns or discourse associated with each subject or content
area appropriate for their level of English language prociency. e language functions are the entrée
into that content-based discourse; teachers of ELLs must consider the language associated with the
language function in conjunction with the standard as the backdrop for developing dierentiated
language objectives or lessons.
3.3 Supports
Support is an instructional strategy or tool used to assist students in accessing content necessary for
classroom understanding or communication. Support may include teaching techniques, such as
modeling, feedback or questioning. Other types of support involve students using visuals or graphics,
interacting with others or using their senses to help construct meaning of oral or written language
(TESOL, 2006). We believe that support is important for all learners to gain access to meaning
through multiple modalities, but it is absolutely essential for ELLs. For this reason, we incorporate
support within the MPIs through English language prociency level 4. We feel that support for ELLs
needs to be present in both instruction and assessment on both a formative and summative basis.
Supports within the MPIs may be sensory, graphic or interactive; examples of these dierent types of
supports are found in Figures 3G and H. Although not extensive, these lists oer some suggestions
for teachers to incorporate into instruction and assessment of ELLs.
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Resource Guide
Figure 3G: Examples of Sensory, Graphic and Interactive Supports
Sensory Supports Graphic Supports Interactive Supports
• Real-life objects (realia)
• Manipulatives
• Pictures & photographs
• Illustrations, diagrams & drawings
• Magazines & newspapers
• Physical activities
• Videos & Films
• Broadcasts
• Models & gures
• Charts
• Graphic organizers
• Tables
• Graphs
• Timelines
• Number lines
• In pairs or partners
• In triads or small groups
• In a whole group
• Using cooperative group
structures
• With the Internet (Web
sites) or software programs
• In the native language (L1)
• With mentors
Sensory Supports
Some sensory supports are applicable across all ELP standards, as exemplied in Figure 3G. Others
are specic to the language of a content area. Figure 3H expands the notion of the use of sensory
support by giving specic examples for ELP standards 2 through 5. e use of these sensory supports
in activities, tasks and projects helps promote the development of students’ academic language
prociency.
Figure 3H: Specic Examples of Sensory Supports
Supports related
to the language of
Language Arts
Supports related
to the language of
Mathematics
Supports related
to the language of
Science
Supports related to
the language of
Social Studies
Illustrated word/phrase
walls
Felt or magnetic gures
of story elements
Sequence blocks
Environmental print
Posters or displays
Bulletin boards
Photographs
Cartoons
Audio books
Songs/Chants
Blocks/Cubes
Clocks, sundials and
other timekeepers
Number lines
Models of geometric
gures
Calculators
Protractors
Rulers, yard/meter sticks
Geoboards
Counters
Compasses
Calendars
Coins
Scientic instruments
Measurement tools
Physical models
Natural materials
Actual substances,
organisms or objects
of investigation
Posters/Illustrations of
processes or cycles
Maps
Globes
Atlases
Compasses
Timelines
Multicultural artifacts
Arial & satellite
photographs
Video clips
Adopted from Gottlieb, M. (2006). Assessing English language learners: Bridges from language prociency to
academic achievement. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
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Graphic Supports
e most commonly used graphic support associated with social, instructional and academic
language is the graphic organizer. Graphic organizers, such as semantic maps, venn diagrams or
T charts, are useful tools for ELLs. ese graphic supports allow students to demonstrate their
understanding of ideas and concepts without having to depend on or produce complex and
sustained discourse. It cannot be assumed, however, that ELLs understand the concept behind
and automatically know how to use particular graphic organizers. erefore, teachers must model
examples of their use and give students time to practice with each one.
Figure 3J provides specic ideas of how graphic organizers may be used with each language
prociency standard. As it does not delineate examples by grade level cluster, teachers’ knowledge
of their students and the curriculum is important in translating these suggestions into instructional
assessment activities.
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Resource Guide
Figure 3J: Examples of Use of Graphic Organizers across the ELP Standards
ELP standard
1- Social and
Instructional
language
2- The language
of Language Arts
3- The language
of Mathematics
4- The language
of Science
5- The language of
Social Studies
Venn Diagrams - Comparing
and Contrasting Two Entities
• Two friends or
family members
• Two traditions
• Two characters
• Two settings
• Two genres
• Two operations
• Two geometric
gures
• Two forms of
proportion
• Two body
systems or
organs
• Two animals or
plants
• Two conicts
• Two forms of
government
• Two forms of
transportation
T-Charts - Sorting or
Categorizing Objects or Concepts
• Colors
• Classroom objects
• Facts/Opinions
• Points of view
• Pros/Cons
• Area/Perimeter
• Fractions/
Decimals
• Addition/
Subtraction
• Forms of matter
• Forms of energy
• Senses
• Vertebrates/
Invertebrates
• Types of
transportation
• Types of habitats
Cycles - Producing a Series of
Connected Events or a Process
• Conict/
Resolution
• School or
classroom routines
• Plot lines • Steps in
problem-
solving
• Scientic
inquiry
• Life cycles
• Water cycle
• Elections in a
democracy
• Passage of a law
Cause and Eect - Illustrating a
Relationship
• Classroom or
school rules
• Health and safety
at home or in
school
• Responses of
characters to
events
• Variables
in algebraic
equations
• Geometric
theorems
• Chemical
reactions
• Adaptation
• Weather events
• Political
movements
• Economic trends
Semantic Webs - Connecting
Categories to emes or Topics
• Personal interests
• Idiomatic
expressions
• Multiple meanings
of words and
phrases
• Root words and
axes
• Main idea/
Details
• Types and
features of
polygons
• Types and
characteristics
of angles
• Foods and their
nutritional
ingredients
• Types and
characteristics of
rocks
• Types of human
and civil rights
• Impact of
economic policies
Adopted from Gottlieb, M. (2006). Assessing English language learners: Bridges from language prociency to academic achievement. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin
Press.
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RG-24
Interactive Supports
All students benet from opportunities to discuss and conrm prior knowledge with each other
in pairs or groups or by using interactive multimedia such as the Internet. ese interactive
supports are especially useful for ELLs. eir participation in interactive activities and tasks can
promote comprehension and expose them to a variety of communication styles. We also know that
instructional strategies that incorporate interactive supports facilitate the exchange of cultural values,
norms and behaviors and challenge students at every level of English language prociency to meet
expectations in situations that they nd meaningful.
ELLs come to school with diverse languages and cultures. ese resources should be recognized,
preserved and strengthened even if they may not coincide with the language of instruction. Although
not formally recognized within the frameworks, the Consortium acknowledges the students’
historical backgrounds and prior educational experiences as springboards for their English language
development. We deem it important to honor the cultural perspectives of our ELLs and their
contributions to our multicultural society within curriculum, instruction and assessment.
Taking this into account, the student’s native language (L1) has been included as a type of
interactive support within the Formative Framework, especially at the rst two stages of English
language development. In doing so, we encourage students with a common language of origin to
communicate with each other to clarify, recap or extend meaning of ideas and concepts presented
in English. In this way, native language may serve to facilitate and enrich the students’ process of
acquiring an additional language. Figure 3K illustrates how native language support is incorporated
into the strands of MPIs.
Figure 3K: Native Language Support
e following partial strand of MPIs suggests the use of native language (L1) support.
Level 1
Entering
Level 2
Beginning
Level 3
Developing
Level 4
Expanding
Identify
environmental print
related to hygiene
or safety around
school (e.g., boys/
girls washroom, re
extinguisher) in
L1 or L2
Find real-life objects
or pictures related to
hygiene or safety that
match environmental
print around
classroom or school
(e.g., labels for soap,
sink) in L1 or L2
Identify icons,
symbols and words
related to hygiene
or safety found in
environmental print
or pictures around
classroom or school
in L1 or L2
Connect
environmental print
or pictures related
to hygiene or safety
to teacher reading of
illustrated books in
L1 or L2
Standards Reference
Framework: Formative Language domain: Reading
Standard: 1- Social and Instructional language Example Topic: Hygiene & safety
Grade level cluster: PreK-K
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Resource Guide
3.4 Example Topics and Genres
While supports assist ELLs in gaining the language and meaning of concepts embedded in the
language prociency standards, the acquisition of academic language rests on the integration of
language and content.
Content within a school setting is largely associated with subject matter topics (and genres within the
area of Language Arts); in addition, ELLs must acquire the social and instructional language already
familiar to their English-procient peers. us, example topics and genres oer a backdrop within
the ELP standards for ELLs’ English language development. Figure 3L further denes the example
topics and genres.
Figure 3L: Example Topics and Genres…
ARE anchored in state and national academic
content standards
ARE NOT academic content standards
ARE intended to illustrate how language
lessons can be embedded in content lessons
ARE NOT meant to imply that language
learning is automatic when content topics are
taught
ARE exible and dynamic elements, intended
to be adapted or substituted (transformed) to
meet curriculum objectives
ARE NOT xed or comprehensive lists of
topics and genres that must be mastered for
academic success
ARE combined with language objectives
and supports to create eective performance
objectives for ELLs
ARE NOT accessible to ELLs without
appropriate scaolding and support
ARE used in test development as potential
themes for assessment items
ARE NOT the only topics and genres that
appear as themes on WIDA assessments
Adopted from TESOL (2006)
Example Topic and Genre Lists
e example topics that follow are representative of state academic content standards and student
standards of national organizations, including Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages,
the National Council of Teachers of English, the International Reading Association, the National
Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Research Council and the National Council for
the Social Studies. e following lists are common topics for each grade level cluster and English
language prociency standard. While by no means exhaustive, these example genres and topics oer
ideas for contextualizing the language development of ELLs.
Resource Guide
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PreK-K Example Topics and Genres: Content Related to
WIDA’s English Language Prociency Standards
Standard 1:
Social and
Instructional language
Standard 2:
The language of
Language Arts
Standard 3:
The language of
Mathematics
Standard 4:
The language of
Science
Standard 5:
The language of
Social Studies
Example Topics
• Classrooms
• Colors
• Feelings
• Games
• Hygiene & safety
• Music & movement
• Recreational objects &
activities
• Routines
• School
• Self & family
• Social behavior
• Spatial relations
Example Genres & Topics
• Chants & songs
• Concepts about print
• Environmental print
• Fairy tales
• Forms of print
• Make-believe
• Nursery rhymes
• Picture books
• Rhyme
• Same & dierent
• Sounds & symbols
(Phonemic awareness)
• Story elements
Example Topics
• Attributes
• Equivalency
• Geometric shapes
• Measurement of time
• Non-standard
measurement tools
• Number sense
• Numbers & operations
• Patterns
• Quantity
• Size
• Spatial relations
• Temperature
• Weight
Example Topics
• Air
• Animals
• Body parts
• Change in self &
environment
• Colors
• Forces in nature
• Living & non-living
things
• Night/Day
• Rocks
• Safety practices
• Scientic process
• Seasons
• Senses
• Water
• Weather
Example Topics
• Change from past to
present
• Classroom/School
• Clothing
• Community workers
• Families
• Food
• Friends
• Historical stories &
legends
• Homes in a community/
Habitats
• Location of objects &
places
• Neighborhood
• Seasons
• Shelter
• Symbols & holidays
• Transportation
ese examples, representative of state academic content standards, provide context for the English language development described in the strands of Model Performance Indicators.
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Resource Guide
Grades 1-2 Example Topics and Genres: Content Related to
WIDA’s English Language Prociency Standards
Standard 1:
Social and
Instructional language
Standard 2:
The language of
Language Arts
Standard 3:
The language of
Mathematics
Standard 4:
The language of
Science
Standard 5:
The language of
Social Studies
Example Topics
• Classroom & school
rules
• Everyday objects
• Feelings & emotions
• Following directions
• Interests, opinions &
preferences
• Leisure activities
• Likes, dislikes & needs
• Personal correspondence
• Personal information
• School areas, personnel
& activities
• Sharing/Cooperation
Example Genres
• Fiction (literary text)
• Folktales
• Non-ction (expository
text)
• Pattern books/
Predictable books
• Poetry
Example Topics
• Compound words
• Elements of story
• Homophones
• Phonemic awareness
• Phonics
• Rhyming words
• Role play
• Sequence of story
• Spatial relations
• Story elements
• Story telling
• Word families
Example Topics
• Basic operations
(addition & subtraction)
• Capacity
• Estimation
• Graphs
• Interpretation of data
• Money
• Number sense
• Patterns
• Place value
• Quantity
• Shapes
• Size
• Standard & metric
measurement tools
• Symmetry
• Time (digital & analog)
• Two- and three-
dimensional shapes
• Weight
• Whole numbers
Example Topics
• Animals
• Astronomy
• Body parts
• Change
• Chemical & physical
attributes
• Earth & sky
• Force & motion
• Gravity
• Life cycles
• Light
• Living & non-living things
• Magnetism
• Natural resources
• Organisms & environment
• Plants
• Renewable & non-
renewable resources
• Senses
• Sound
• Water cycle
• Weather
• Weathering & erosion
Example Topics
• Artifacts of the past
• Celebrations/Customs
• Citizenship
• Community workers
• Cultural heritage
• Families & responsibilities
• Historical gures & leaders
• Homes & habitats
• Indigenous peoples & cultures
• Jobs & careers
• Land forms/Bodies of water
• Money & banking
• Neighborhoods & communities
• Products in the marketplace
• Representations of the earth
(maps & globes)
• Seasons
• Time & chronology
• Use of resources & land
ese examples, representative of state academic content standards, provide context for the English language development described in the strands of Model Performance Indicators.
Resource Guide
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Grades 3-5 Example Topics and Genres: Content Related to
WIDA’s English Language Prociency Standards
Standard 1:
Social and
Instructional language
Standard 2:
The language of
Language Arts
Standard 3:
The language of
Mathematics
Standard 4:
The language of
Science
Standard 5:
The language of
Social Studies
Example Topics
• Assignments
• Classroom supplies/
Resources
• Following directions
• Health & safety
• Information gathering
• Leisure activities
• Opinions
• Personal experiences
• Personal information
• Rules & procedures
Example Genres
• Biographies & autobiographies
• Fables
• Fairy tales
• Fantasies
• Folklore
• Informational texts
• Legends
• Mysteries
• Myths
• Narratives
• Prose
• Science ction
• Tall tales
Example Topics
• Axes & root words
• Comprehension strategies
• Conventions & mechanics
• Editing & revising
• Explicit & inferential information
• Fact or opinion
• Fluency strategies
• Hyperbole
• Main ideas/Details
• Organization of texts
• Phonemes/Phonology
• Points of view
• Story elements & types of genres
• Story grammar
• Text structure & organization
Example Topics
• Angles
• Area
• Attributes of two- and three-
dimensional shapes
• Basic operations (multiplication
& division)
• Cost/Money
• Data analysis
• Decimals
• Descriptive statistics
• Fractions
• Large whole numbers
• Metric system
• Patterns & relationships
• Percent
• Perimeter
• Place value
• Polygons
• Scale
• Sets
• Strategies for problem solving
Example Topics
• Body systems
• Cells & organisms
• Earth history/Materials
• Ecology & conservation
• Ecosystems
• Electricity
• Energy sources
• Foods & nutrition
• Forces of nature
• Fossils
• Geological forms
• Heat
• Living systems
• Magnetism
• Natural resources
• Nature
• Reproduction & heredity
• Scientic inquiry
• Simple machines
• Solar system
• States of matter
• Weather patterns
Example Topics
• Ancient civilizations
• Branches of government
• Colonization
• Communities
• Cross-cultural experiences
• Explorers
• Goods & services
• Historical events, gures
& leaders
• Immigration/Migration
• Legends & scales
• Maps & globes/Locations
• Needs of groups, societies
& cultures
• Neighbors North & South
• Prehistoric animals
• Resources & products
• Times long ago
• Tools & artifacts
• Topography: rivers, coasts,
mountains, deserts, plains
• Trade routes
• U.S. documents
• U.S. regions
ese examples, representative of state academic content standards, provide context for the English language development described in the strands of Model Performance Indicators.
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Resource Guide
Grades 6-8 Example Topics and Genres: Content Related to
WIDA’s English Language Prociency Standards
Standard 1:
Social and
Instructional language
Standard 2:
The language of
Language Arts
Standard 3:
The language of
Mathematics
Standard 4:
The language of Science
Standard 5:
The language of
Social Studies
Example Topics
• Assignments/Research
• Character development
• Instructions/
Assignments
• Resources & supplies
• School behavior
• School life
• Social interaction
• Use of information
• Use of multiple
resources
• Use of register
Example Genres
• Adventures
• Ballads
• Editorials
• Historical documents
• Human interest
• Mythology
• Poetry/Free verse
• Science ction
• Technical texts
Example Topics
• Alliteration
• Author’s purpose
• Biographies
• Comprehension strategies
• Dialogue
• Editing
• Figures of speech
• Literacy devices
• Metaphors & similes
• Multimedia
• Multiple meanings
• Personication
• Synonyms & antonyms
• Test-taking strategies
• Word origins
Example Topics
• Algebraic equations
• Area, volume &
circumference
• Complex two- & three-
dimensional gures
• Data interpretation &
statistics
• Data sets & plots
• Decimals
• Estimation
• Factors
• Fractions
• Geometric relations
• Integers
• Line segments & angles
• Measures of central
tendency (mean, median,
mode, range)
• Metric & standard units
of measurement
• Parallel lines
• Percent
• Perimeter
• Probability
• Ratio & proportion
• Square root
Example Topics
• Atoms & molecules
• Bacteria to plants
• Body systems & organs
• Chemical building blocks
• Climate/Temperature change
• Climate zones
• Comets & meteorites
• Cycles
• Elements & compounds
• Forms of energy
• Light
• Motion & force
• Natural disasters
• Populations, resources &
environments
• Processes
• Reproduction
• Scientic inventions or
discoveries
• Scientic tools or instruments
• Solar system
• Sound
• Universe: Stars and planets
• Water
Example Topics
• Agriculture
• America’s story
• Ancient/Medieval civilizations
• Bill of Rights
• Civic rights & responsibilities
• Civil wars
• Colonization
• Countries & continents
• Cultural perspectives & frames
of reference
• Economic trends
• Forms & organization of
government
• Freedom & democracy
• Human resources
• Longitude/Latitude/Time zones
• Maps
• Revolution
• Slavery
• U.S. Constitution
ese examples, representative of state academic content standards, provide context for the English language development described in the strands of Model Performance Indicators.
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Grades 9-12 Example Topics and Genres: Content Related to
WIDA’s English Language Prociency Standards
Standard 1:
Social and
Instructional language
Standard 2:
The language of
Language Arts
Standard 3:
The language of
Mathematics
Standard 4:
The language of Science
Standard 5:
The language of
Social Studies
Example Topics
• Classroom routines
• Personal & business
communication
• Personal preferences
• Points of view
• Recommendations/
Suggestions
• School life
• Social & cultural traditions
& values
• Study skills & strategies
• Information gathering
• Workplace readiness
Example Genres
• Allusion
• Autobiographical &
biographical narratives
• Comedies
• Critical commentary
• Epics
• Literary genres
• Monologues/soliloquy
• Multicultural/world
literature
• Tragedies
Example Topics
• Analogies
• Author’s perspective/Point
of view
• Bias
• Character development
• Convention & mechanics
• Literal & gurative
language
• Multiple meanings
• Note taking
• Parody
• Research
• Satire
• Symbolism
• Word derivations
(etymology)
Example Topics
• Congruence
• Coordinate planes, graphs
& equations
• Data displays &
interpretation
• Derived attributes
• Formulas & equations
• Mathematical relations &
functions
• Multi-dimensional shapes
• Powers
• Problem solving
• Quadrilaterals
• Roots
• Scale & proportion
• Speed & acceleration
• eoretic probability
• Trigonometric functions
(sine, cosine, tangent)
Example Topics
• Atoms & molecules/
Nuclear structures
• Chemical & physical
change
• Conservation of energy &
matter
• Constellations
• Ecology & adaptation
• Elements & compounds
• Food chains
• Forces & motion
• Genetics & heredity
• Life cycles
• Meteorology
• Nuclear change
• Scientic research &
investigation
• Simple organisms
• Taxonomic systems
Example Topics
• Banking and money
• Behaviors of individuals &
groups
• Conict resolution
• Cultural diversity &
cohesion
• Federal, civil & individual
rights
• Global economy
• Historical gures & times
• Human populations
• Individual responsibilities
• Interdependence among
states & nations
• International &
multinational organizations
• Production, consumption &
distribution
• Social issues & inequities
• Supply & demand
• Supreme Court cases
• Survey research
• e story of the U.S.
• World histories/
Civilizations/Cultures
ese examples, representative of state academic content standards, provide context for the English language development described in the strands of Model Performance Indicators.
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Resource Guide
3.5 Examples (e.g.,)
Within some MPIs there are examples, marked by “(e.g.),” to help clarify or extend the meaning of
one or more of the elements. As each cell in the standards’ matrices has limited space, the full text
is not often provided. e examples within the MPIs are used in ve dierent ways. More than one
type of example may appear in one strand.
Teacher Talk: In presenting a big idea to students, a teacher
might say, “White is made up of all colors.” is statement
may serve as a stimulus for ELLs who could then meet
the MPI’s expectations by demonstrating or pointing to a
picture of white light being refracted into a rainbow by a
prism.
Level 1
Entering
Match oral
statements about
light or sound
with illustrations
(e.g., “White is
made up of all
colors.”)
Standards Reference
Framework: Formative
Standard: 4- e language of Science
Grade level cluster: 6-8
Language domain: Listening
Example Topic: Light/Sound
Teacher Talk
In the listening strands, ideas
of what teachers might say to
ELLs in either instructional
or assessment contexts in
the Formative or Summative
Framework are occasionally
interjected within an MPI.
Examples of teacher talk are
bounded by quotation marks.
Student Speak
In the strands that address
speaking and writing, we
hear the student voice. e
examples represent what
students at the assigned
language prociency level
are expected to produce
or some language patterns
they may use orally or
in writing. Examples of
student talk are bounded
by quotation marks.
Student Speak: ere are many possible explanations for places/
locations on maps or globes. A procient ELL might give the
answer noted in this MPI.
Level 5
Bridging
Give explanations
for places/
locations on maps
or globes (e.g. “I
know this city
is the capital
because there is a
star.”)
Standards Reference
Framework: Formative
Standard: 5- e language of Social Studies
Grade level cluster: 3-5
Language domain: Speaking
Example Topic: Maps & globes/Locations
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Text Talk: ELLs are able to identify a visually supported
written message such as the ones shown in this MPI.
Level 3
Developing
Sort language
associated with fact or
opinion in ction or
non-ction illustrated
text (e.g., “I think
that...,” “We believe
that…,” “It could
be...”)
Standards Reference
Framework: Formative
Standard: 2- e language of
Language Arts
Grade level cluster: 3-5
Language domain: Reading
Example Topic: Fact or opinion
Text Talk
Examples of text talk that
ELLs are expected to process
are associated with the reading
domain. ey, too, are marked by
quotation marks because they are
possible quotes from a text.
Specic Supports
ree main categories
of supports are present
within the strands of
MPIs: sensory, graphic and
interactive. Most sensory
supports are visual, but
they could also involve the
use of other senses such as
touch or smell.
Specic Supports: First and second graders may classify living
organisms by using pictures, icons and text with graphic organizers.
is MPI species a type of graphic organizer that would be
especially useful for this kind of task.
Level 2
Beginning
Sort living organisms
according to
descriptions of
their attributes
using pictures and
phrases with graphic
organizers (e.g., T
charts)
Standards Reference
Framework: Summative
Standard: 4- e language of Science
Grade level cluster: 1-2
Language domain: Reading
Example Topic: Living organisms
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Resource Guide
Subtopics: In the MPI below, the example gives a subtopic
showing how the language of Percent or Decimals may be
used to “follow written instructions.”
Level 4
Expanding
Follow written
instructions to
determine when and
how to apply math
in real-life situations
involving percent or
decimals (e.g., sales
tax, interest rates or
tips) with a partner
Standards Reference
Framework: Formative
Standard: 3- e language of
Mathematics
Grade level cluster: 6-8
Language domain: Reading
Example Topic: Percent/Decimals
Subtopics
e Example Genres and Topics,
by being tied to academic content
standards and representative of
district and school curriculum,
have broad applicability. e
subset of topics are further
ideas for teachers in designing
lessons or units of instruction
and assessing social or academic
language. Subtopics, by often
being specic to a language level,
also help teachers dierentiate
instruction and assessment.
is section has described the various elements which make up model performance indicators
and how they relate to one another. Section 4 elaborates the usability of the elements of the MPIs
and shows their adaptability through transformations in designing units of study and in mapping
curriculum.
Resource Guide
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SECTION 4: WORKING WITH THE STANDARDS
4.1 Transformations: Strategies for Designing Assessment, Curriculum and
Instruction
As informative as model performance indicators (MPIs) are for practice, they do not completely
capture the range of situations, supports and topics that classroom teachers experience.
Transformations of the MPIs are intended to add exibility to the use of the strands. Transformations
entail changing one or more of the elements of an MPI (its language function, topic or support) to
reect local curricular or instructional targets (Gottlieb, Carnuccio, Ernst-Slavit, & Katz, 2006).
Transformations are the mechanism that enables teachers to adapt the strands of MPIs to their
specic teaching situation. Once teachers have gained familiarity with the format of the standards’
matrices, they will nd that using transformations will be a tremendously helpful tool in assessment,
curriculum and lesson design. Ultimately, transformations are the vehicle to increasing the viability
and usefulness of the English language prociency (ELP) standards.
e role of transformations for each element of an MPI is unique. In the sections that follow, each
element is treated independently, although, more than one transformation within a single MPI or
strand of MPIs is possible. Examples illustrate how to transform or substitute the elements. Together,
the transformations exemplify the potential power of the strands of MPIs as pathways for English
language learners (ELLs) to attain the ELP standards.
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Resource Guide
Transformation of Language Functions
e transformation of language functions, shown in the following two diagrams, enables teachers
to substitute productive language domains (speaking and writing) for receptive language domains
(listening and reading) or vice versa. is transformation also encourages teachers to introduce new
language patterns or reinforce those previously learned for a particular level of English language
prociency. us, ELLs are able to enhance their repertoire of language within a specic level of
English language prociency.
Figure 4A: Language Function Transformation
from Listening to Speaking
Identify specific geographic
locations (e.g., time zones,
latitude, longitude) on maps
based on oral information and
check with a partner
Describe specific geographic
locations (e.g., time zones,
latitude, longitude) on maps
based on given information to
a partner
Standards Reference
Framework: Formative Language prociency level: 3- Developing
Standard: 5- e language of Social Studies Example Topic: Maps
Grade level cluster: 6-8
Figure 4B: Language Function Transformation
from Writing to Reading
Make lists of real-world
examples of three-dimensional
shapes from labeled models
Match descriptive phrases
of real-world examples with
labeled models of three-
dimensional shapes
Standards Reference
Framework: Summative Language prociency level: 2- Beginning
Standard: 3- e language of Mathematics Example Topic: ree-dimensional shapes
Grade level cluster: 3-5
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Transformation of Supports
Transformations of supports (sensory, graphic or interactive) allow teachers to easily move from
the Summative to Formative Framework or the reverse. Whereas in summative contexts, students
tend to rely on pictures or illustrations for support, in formative situations, students can actively
engage in activities and tasks using real-life objects or manipulatives. Dierent types of support
may also be exchanged or added to the MPIs, such as having students work in pairs to complete a
graphic organizer (thus having both interactive and graphic supports present). e following two
transformations show how supports within MPIs may be modied or added to enhance ELLs’ access
to meaning.
Figure 4C: Support Transformation from
Summative to Formative Frameworks
Find labeled pictures of food
by initial sounds or consonants
(e.g., “pineapple,” “peas”)
Find real-life examples of
foods by initial sounds or
consonants (e.g., “pineapple,”
“peas”)
Standards Reference
Standard: 5- e language of Social Studies Language prociency level: 3- Developing
Grade level cluster: PreK-K Example Topic: Food
Language Domain: Reading
Standards Reference
Framework: Formative Language prociency level: 3- Developing
Standard: 4- e language of Science Grade level cluster: 6-8
Language Domain: Speaking Example Topic: Elements & compounds
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Resource Guide
Transformation of Topics
Transformations of topics can occur within a standard or from one standard to another. Substituting
one topic for another allows teachers to develop units or lessons around a specic theme. Oftentimes,
the topics can be selected directly from the example lists or from district curriculum. By exchanging
the example topics with others, English as a second language or bilingual teachers can more readily
synchronize instruction with general education or content teachers. Two ways of transforming topics
are illustrated below.
Figure 4E: Topic Transformation within an ELP Standard
Analyze and identify reasons
for genetic alterations based
on visually supported text
(e.g., mutation) with a partner
Analyze and identify reasons
for physical change based on
visually supported text with a
partner
Standards Reference
Framework: Formative Language Domain: Reading
Standard: 4- e language of Science Language prociency level: 4- Expanding
Grade level cluster: 9-12
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Standards Reference
Framework: Summative Grade level cluster: 1-2
Standards: 1- Social and Instructional language Language Domain: Speaking
2- e language of Language Arts Language prociency level: 1- Entering
3- e language of Mathematics
4- e language of Science
Once educators become familiar with the art of transformation, they can develop whole strands of
MPIs pertaining to the topics they teach. In the next section, we oer a checklist to help ensure the
quality of original strands of MPIs.
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Resource Guide
4.2 Reviewing Original Strands of MPIs
Figure 4G: WIDA Checklist for Reviewing Strands of MPIs
e following checklist has been devised to assist in selecting content topics and developing new
strands of MPIs. It may be useful for teachers or teacher committees at grade, school or district levels
who wish to transform strands of MPIs as a step in their dierentiation of language for curriculum,
instruction and assessment.
Framework: ________________________ Grade Level Cluster: _________________________
Standard: __________________________ Language Domain: __________________________
Example Topics
1. Are aligned with or representative of those from state academic content
standards?
YES NO
2. Represent curricular and instructional emphases? YES NO
Strands of Model Performance Indicators (MPIs)
1. Contain sensory, graphic or interactive supports through English language
prociency level 4, Expanding?
YES NO
2. Are amenable to curricular ‘big ideas’? YES NO
3. Scaold at equal intervals across the levels of English language prociency? YES NO
4. Are uniform in regard to their level of specicity? YES NO
5. Are representations of the language demands contained in academic
content standards?
YES NO
4.3 Collaboration among Educators Serving English Language Learners (ELLs)
e ELP standards are starting and ending points in the cycle of assessment, curriculum and
instruction of ELLs. We suggest that all teachers and administrators who work with ELLs have
opportunities to participate together as teams in sustained professional development activities.
Educators with a mutual understanding of the expectations of ELLs are best able to serve the
students’ individual and collective needs.
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It is important for ELLs to have a consistent, continuous and challenging curriculum that addresses
academic content and language development in English and, to the extent feasible, in their native
or home language. Collaboration among teachers leads to maximum coordination of services for the
students. Many teachers touch the lives of ELLs, including English as a second language, bilingual,
dual language, content, resource, special education (if applicable) and general education teachers.
Administrators should encourage, support and lead collaborative eorts on behalf of ELLs.
Ideas for Collaboration in Planning Instructional Assessment
To improve instructional cohesion and continuity of services for ELLs during the school year,
teachers working with second language learners may choose to collaborate throughout the
instructional assessment cycle. Likewise, administrators at the school and district levels may wish
to coordinate activities and services for ELLs from year to year to ensure strong and consistent
educational programming. Below are some ideas for teachers and administrators for working together
in the planning, implementation and evaluation of instructional assessment for ELLs.
• Map the school, district or state curriculum, including the curriculum for English language
education, onto the ELP standards
• Cross-reference, integrate or link ELP standards with state academic content standards
• Transform or create strands of MPIs to match or augment curriculum
• Co-develop thematic units of instruction and model lessons
• Select strands of MPIs to target instruction
• Formulate language objectives from the English language prociency standards and content
objectives from state academic content standards
• Plan common formative assessments at grade levels or grade level clusters
• Design or select common rubrics for performance assessment
• Dierentiate language instruction according to the levels of English language prociency
• Plan family involvement and community outreach about English language services
Ideas for Collaboration in Implementing Instruction and Assessment of ELLs
• Co-teach activities, tasks and projects
• Collect exemplars of student work and interpret the samples with common rubrics
• Develop a common grading scheme based on students’ English language prociency and
academic performance
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Resource Guide
Ideas for Collaboration in Evaluating Student Results
• Create standards-based reporting forms or report cards
• Interpret results from ACCESS for ELLs® and state assessments of academic achievement to
improve services
• Share results from ELP assessments and assessments of academic achievement with parents
and other stakeholders
• Participate in school and district committee activities
• Use a common set of criteria for grading ELLs
• Use information to develop and coordinate the language education program for ELLs
Resource Guide
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Resource Guide
SECTION 5: STANDARDS-BASED RESOURCES
e English language prociency (ELP) standards do not operate in isolation but are part of a
comprehensive educational system designed for English language learners (ELLs). is section
provides resources to use in conjunction with the WIDA ELP Standards.
5.1 The Relationship among Performance Denitions, CAN DO Descriptors and
the Levels of English Language Prociency
Performance Denitions, CAN DO Descriptors and the strands of model performance indicators
(MPIs), each delineated by the ELP levels, are three ways of framing the ELP standards. Each of
these resources build upon one another. As shown in Figure 5A, the Performance Denitions (Figure
5B) are the most global (representing the base of the pyramid) with criteria that reect the general
characteristics of ELLs from Kindergarten through grade 12 for each prociency level.
e CAN DO Descriptors (Figure 5M) build upon the Performance Denitions by describing
what students can do at each prociency level by domain but do not distinguish among students
in dierent grade levels. While not part of the standards’ matrices, these two resources are essential
foundations to understanding and using the ve prociency levels exemplied in the MPIs.
e MPIs are the building blocks of the standards’ matrices. Like the Performance Denitions,
their strands are assembled according to the progressive levels of English language prociency.
Along with the CAN DO Descriptors, they are divided into the four domains, but they are also
structured around example topics and genres by grade level cluster. us, they are the most detailed
representations of the ELP standards.
Figure 5A shows the relationship between the Performance Denitions, the CAN DO Descriptors,
the ELP standards and the strands of MPIs. e resources in the lowest levels of the pyramid contain
the broadest denitions of the levels of English language prociency, narrowing to their most specic
representation at the top.
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Figure 5A: The Relationship among WIDA’s Strands of Model Performance
Indicators, ELP Standards, CAN DO Descriptors and Performance Denitions
5.2 Performance Denitions for the Levels of English Language Prociency
e Performance Denitions, presented in Figure 5B and at the start of the standards’ matrices,
frame the ELP standards. ey provide criteria that shape each of the six levels of English language
prociency. e three bullets within each prociency level in the Performance Denitions also
correspond to the categories or components of the Speaking and Writing Rubrics (see Section 5.3);
namely,
• Linguistic Complexity- the amount and quality of speech or writing for a given situation
• Vocabulary Usage- the specicity of words or phrases for a given context
• Language Control- the comprehensibility of the communication based on the amount and
types of errors
Performance Definitions
CAN DO Descriptors
ELP Standards
Strands
of Model
Performance
Indicators
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Resource Guide
Figure 5B: Performance Denitions
At the given level of English language prociency, English language learners will process, understand,
produce or use:
6- Reaching
• specialized or technical language reective of the content areas at grade level
• a variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in extended oral
or written discourse as required by the specied grade level
• oral or written communication in English comparable to English-procient
peers
5- Bridging
• specialized or technical language of the content areas
• a variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in extended oral
or written discourse, including stories, essays or reports
• oral or written language approaching comparability to that of English-
procient peers when presented with grade level material
4- Expanding
• specic and some technical language of the content areas
• a variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in oral discourse
or multiple, related sentences or paragraphs
• oral or written language with minimal phonological, syntactic or semantic
errors that do not impede the overall meaning of the communication when
presented with oral or written connected discourse with sensory, graphic or
interactive support
3- Developing
• general and some specic language of the content areas
• expanded sentences in oral interaction or written paragraphs
• oral or written language with phonological, syntactic or semantic errors that
may impede the communication, but retain much of its meaning, when
presented with oral or written, narrative or expository descriptions with
sensory, graphic or interactive support
2- Beginning
• general language related to the content areas
• phrases or short sentences
• oral or written language with phonological, syntactic, or semantic errors that
often impede the meaning of the communication when presented with one- to
multiple-step commands, directions, questions, or a series of statements with
sensory, graphic or interactive support
1- Entering
• pictorial or graphic representation of the language of the content areas
• words, phrases or chunks of language when presented with one-step
commands, directions, WH-, choice or yes/no questions, or statements with
sensory, graphic or interactive support
• oral language with phonological, syntactic, or semantic errors that often impede
meaning when presented with basic oral commands, direct questions, or simple
statements with sensory, graphic or interactive support
Figure 5A: The Relationship among WIDA’s Strands of Model Performance
Indicators, ELP Standards, CAN DO Descriptors and Performance Denitions
5.2 Performance Denitions for the Levels of English Language Prociency
e Performance Denitions, presented in Figure 5B and at the start of the standards’ matrices,
frame the ELP standards. ey provide criteria that shape each of the six levels of English language
prociency. e three bullets within each prociency level in the Performance Denitions also
correspond to the categories or components of the Speaking and Writing Rubrics (see Section 5.3);
namely,
• Linguistic Complexity- the amount and quality of speech or writing for a given situation
• Vocabulary Usage- the specicity of words or phrases for a given context
• Language Control- the comprehensibility of the communication based on the amount and
types of errors
Performance Definitions
CAN DO Descriptors
ELP Standards
Strands
of Model
Performance
Indicators
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Linguistic Complexity
Linguistic complexity refers to the amount of discourse (oral or written), the types and variety of
grammatical structures, the organization and cohesion of ideas and, at the higher levels of language
prociency, the use of text structures in specic genres. For example, expository essays often include
the use of language to foreshadow, argue and summarize (Schleppegrell, 2004). As ELLs gain
prociency in English, their processing abilities and use of complex structures increase accordingly.
Vocabulary Usage
e role of vocabulary, in particular, the use of academic language associated with content-based
instruction, has been documented as critical in the literacy development of second language learners.
In fact, “mastery of academic language is arguably the single most important determinant of
academic success; to be successful academically, students need to develop the specialized language of
academic discourse that is distinct from conversational language” (Francis, Rivera, Lesaux, & Rivera,
2006, p.7). In the Performance Denitions, as students progress from the Entering to Reaching
levels of prociency, we witness change in vocabulary use from general language to specic language
to specialized or technical language that is required in processing or responding to a task.
Figure 5C gives example sets of general, specic and technical terms associated with ELP standards
2-5 for a given grade level cluster. ese examples illustrate ELLs’ second language acquisition;
they are not to be confused with the three tiers of general vocabulary development described by
McKeown, Beck, & Kucan (2002) as high frequency words, rich words and low-frequency words.
ere are many high-frequency words in English, for example, that have multiple meanings used in a
variety of contexts which make them dicult for ELLs.
Figure 5C: Examples of General, Specic and Technical Language across the
Grade Level Clusters and ELP Standards
Standard
Sample Grade
Level Cluster
General
Language
Specic
Language
Technical
Language
e language of
Mathematics
1-2 in all total sum
e language of
Language Arts
3-5 person character protagonist
e language of
Science
6-8 knee kneecap patella
e language of
Social Studies
9-12 people population demographics
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Resource Guide
Language Control
Language control reects the extent to which a communication is comprehensible.
Comprehensibility is measured by the number and types of errors committed in oral or written
discourse that aect the meaning or intent of the message. ese errors involve lapses in uency,
grammatical usage, phonology (the sounds used by a particular language), and semantic choice (the
selection of words to convey meaning).
In the examples that follow, we analyze writing samples of students who took the ACCESS for ELLs®
Writing Test—referred to here as Emile, Maxine, Tazak and Felipe. eir writing is scrutinized
according to each criterion of the Performance Denitions: linguistic complexity, vocabulary usage
and language control. In Figures 5E and F, note the drastic advances in all three criteria from level 2
to level 6 in sample student writing from the 3-5 grade level cluster.
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Figure 5D: Grade Level Cluster 3-5 Example Writing Prompt
Tiers B and C of the ACCESS for ELLs® Writing assessment include an integrated task which covers
Standards 2 and 5, the language of Language Arts and the language of Social Studies. Students are
faced with a short story such as the one shown below to provoke their ideas.
Here, students were given guidance in preparing their thoughts and structuring their writing into
multiple paragraphs.
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Resource Guide
Note: A portion of Maxine’s writing was omitted here.
Linguistic Complexity
Emile’s sample is too brief to
exhibit cohesive organization
or a range of sentence
structures, but Maxine’s
accomplishes both. Her use
of dialogue makes her sample
worthy of its high score. Also,
note that Figure 5F contains
only a portion of Maxine’s
response. e entire essay
is organized around three
anecdotes from her life which
relate to the prompt. e use
of transitions is appropriate
for her age and the conclusion
clearly summarizes her point
of view.
Vocabulary Usage
Emile uses only general
vocabulary, most of which
is provided in the prompt.
However, Maxine is able to
produce specic language
such as “guilty,” and even uses
idiomatic expressions such as
“silly goose” and “look before
you leap.”
Figure 5E: Emile’s Writing Sample from Grades 3-5:
Language Prociency Level Score of 2
Figure 5F: Maxine’s Writing Sample from
Grades 3-5: Language Prociency Level Score of 6
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Language Control
Comprehension of Emile’s
sample is impeded by a complete
lack of punctuation and
capitalization. Other mistakes
include incorrect pronoun
usage as in “those stu” and
“are” instead of “our.” Maxine
also makes occasional minor
grammatical errors, such as “do a
hard work,” but nothing beyond
what is typical of her English
procient peers.
Next, compare the student writing samples in Figures 5H and J for students in the 6-8 grade level
cluster whom we name Tazak and Felipe. Note the progression in linguistic complexity, vocabulary
usage and language control from a level 2 to a level 5 sample for middle school ELLs.
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Figure 5G: Grade Level Cluster 6-8 Example Writing Prompt
At this point, students are given further direction on preparing their ideas for writing by creating an
organizational plan such as an outline or a web.
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Figure 5H: Tazak’s Writing Sample from Grades 6-8: Language Prociency Level
Score of 2
Linguistic Complexity
Tazak’s sample relies almost
completely on the simple
phrases “I like,” “I use” and
“I do.” However, a transition
is used to start the fourth
paragraph with “nally,…”,
which shows some variety of
sentence structure. However,
many of the thoughts are
random and disjointed. Felipe,
on the other hand, produces
a greater quantity of language
with a much more cohesive
progression of ideas throughout
the essay.
Vocabulary Usage
Both writers copied the word
“accomplishments” from the
prompt, but only the level
5 student, Felipe, is able to
consistently produce vocabulary
at that level of specicity. Other
examples of specic vocabulary
used to meet expectations at
level 5 are “represent,” “unity,”
“divide,” and “pride.”
RG-53
Resource Guide
Figure 5J: Felipe’s Writing Sample from Grades 6-8: Language Prociency Level
Score of 5
Language Control
Tazak’s misuse of tense as
in, “my idea is taked,” and
phonemic slips such as “these”
for “this” could impede
comprehension, particularly
if spoken. It is also dicult to
derive the intended meaning
from phrases like “because is
of the only ones in my school”
and “where do I solve it from
my school.” Felipe’s sample
exhibits greater command of
syntax and tenses with far fewer
mechanical errors in general.
Felipe has not altogether
mastered language control, as
evidenced in his atypical use of
the word “aspects” and possible
L1 interference causing him to
stray from the correct order of
verbs, nouns and adjectives in
the phrase “make unhappy all
the people.” Nonetheless, his
sentences are much more uid
than Tazak’s.
Resource Guide
RG-54
e three criteria or components that comprise the Performance Denitions (linguistic complexity,
vocabulary usage and language control) are developmental in nature; that is, as students become
more procient in English, there is a natural and predictive progression across the levels of language
prociency. Instruction and assessment should be targeted and dierentiated according to the
placement of students on the language prociency scale.
5.3 Speaking and Writing Rubrics for Classroom Assessment
e analyses of student writing samples in the previous section are an example of how student
performance can be evaluated using several criteria organized along a prociency continuum
known as a rubric. Rubrics are scoring guides in which a uniform set of criteria are used to interpret
student work or samples. e Speaking and Writing Rubrics were originally created to score the
productive tasks in ACCESS for ELLs® and also for its screener, the WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test
(W-APT)™. e test administrator scores the adaptive Speaking section of ACCESS for ELLs® as well
as the W-APT™; in addition, the test administrator is responsible for scoring the Writing section of
the W-APT™. ese scoring rubrics are equally useful for classroom use.
ese rubrics, shown in Figures 5K and L, reect and elaborate the Performance Denitions for
the levels of English language prociency. e three criteria represented, linguistic complexity,
vocabulary usage and language control, are described in the previous section dealing with
Performance Denitions (5.2).
e Speaking and Writing Rubrics in this guide are intended to be used by teachers on a formative
basis to interpret ELLs’ production in English on classroom or program level tasks. e Speaking
Rubric does not include level 6 but note that it is reserved for students whose oral English is
comparable to that of their English-procient peers.
ese rubrics may be used in conjunction with the Performance Denitions and also the speaking
and writing domains of the CAN DO Descriptors. Teachers are welcome to incorporate these rubrics
into their classroom assessment throughout the school year. We also encourage teachers to gather and
discuss student samples of speaking and writing for the varying grade levels or grade level clusters to
share with one another. ese anchor papers may then serve to help teachers become more consistent
raters for writing samples on both a formative and summative basis.
RG-55
Resource Guide
Figure 5K: Summary Chart of Speaking Performance Expectations
Speaking Rubric of the WIDA™ Consortium*
Task Level
Linguistic
Complexity
Vocabulary
Usage
Language Control
1
Entering
Single words, set
phrases or chunks
of memorized oral
language
Highest frequency
vocabulary from
school setting and
content areas
When using memorized language, is generally
comprehensible; communication may be
signicantly impeded when going beyond the
highly familiar
2
Beginning
Phrases, short oral
sentences
General language
related to the
content area;
groping for
vocabulary when
going beyond the
highly familiar is
evident
When using simple discourse, is generally
comprehensible and uent; communication
may be impeded by groping for language
structures or by phonological, syntactic or
semantic errors when going beyond phrases
and short, simple sentences
3
Developing
Simple and expanded
oral sentences;
responses show
emerging complexity
used to add detail
General and some
specic language
related to the
content area; may
grope for needed
vocabulary at times
When communicating in sentences, is
generally comprehensible and uent;
communication may from time to time be
impeded by groping for language structures or
by phonological, syntactic or semantic errors,
especially when attempting more complex oral
discourse
4
Expanding
A variety of oral
sentence lengths of
varying linguistic
complexity; responses
show emerging
cohesion used to
provide detail and
clarity
Specic and
some technical
language related to
the content area;
groping for needed
vocabulary may be
occasionally evident
At all times generally comprehensible and
uent, though phonological, syntactic or
semantic errors that don’t impede the overall
meaning of the communication may appear
at times; such errors may reect rst language
interference
5
Bridging
A variety of sentence
lengths of varying
linguistic complexity
in extended oral
discourse; responses
show cohesion and
organization used to
support main ideas
Technical language
related to the
content area;
facility with needed
vocabulary is
evident
Approaching comparability to that of English
procient peers in terms of comprehensibility
and uency; errors don’t impede
communication and may be typical of those
an English procient peer might make
Adapted from ACCESS for ELLs
® Training Toolkit and Test Administration Manuals, Series 103 (2007-08)
*English prociency level 6 is not included in the Speaking Rubric as it is reserved for students whose oral English
is comparable to that of their English-procient peers.
Resource Guide
RG-56
Figure 5L: Summary Chart of Writing Performance Expectations
Writing Rubric of the WIDA™ Consortium
Grades 1-12
Level Linguistic Complexity Vocabulary Usage Language Control
6
Reaching*
A variety of sentence
lengths of varying linguistic
complexity in a single tightly
organized paragraph or in
well-organized extended
text; tight cohesion and
organization
Consistent use of just the
right word in just the right
place; precise Vocabulary
Usage in general, specic or
technical language.
Has reached comparability
to that of English procient
peers functioning at the
“procient” level in state-wide
assessments.
5
Bridging
A variety of sentence
lengths of varying linguistic
complexity in a single
organized paragraph or in
extended text; cohesion and
organization
Usage of technical language
related to the content area;
evident facility with needed
vocabulary.
Approaching comparability
to that of English procient
peers; errors don’t impede
comprehensibility.
4
Expanding
A variety of sentence
lengths of varying linguistic
complexity; emerging
cohesion used to provide
detail and clarity.
Usage of specic and some
technical language related
to the content area; lack of
needed vocabulary may be
occasionally evident.
Generally comprehensible
at all times, errors don’t
impede the overall meaning;
such errors may reect rst
language interference.
3
Developing
Simple and expanded
sentences that show emerging
complexity used to provide
detail.
Usage of general and some
specic language related
to the content area; lack of
needed vocabulary may be
evident.
Generally comprehensible
when writing in sentences;
comprehensibility may from
time to time be impeded by
errors when attempting to
produce more complex text.
2
Beginning
Phrases and short sentences;
varying amount of text may
be copied or adapted; some
attempt at organization may
be evidenced.
Usage of general language
related to the content area;
lack of vocabulary may be
evident.
Generally comprehensible
when text is adapted from
model or source text, or when
original text is limited to
simple text; comprehensibility
may be often impeded by
errors.
1
Entering
Single words, set phrases or
chunks of simple language;
varying amounts of text
may be copied or adapted;
adapted text contains original
language.
Usage of highest frequency
vocabulary from school
setting and content areas.
Generally comprehensible
when text is copied or
adapted from model or source
text; comprehensibility may
be signicantly impeded in
original text.
Adapted from ACCESS for ELLs
® Training Toolkit and Test Administration Manuals, Series 103 (2007-08)
*Level 6 is reserved for students whose written English is comparable to that of their English-procient peers.
RG-57
Resource Guide
5.4 The CAN DO Descriptors for WIDA’s Levels of English Language
Prociency
For teachers unfamiliar with the ELP standards, the CAN DO Descriptors provide a starting point
for working with ELLs and a collaborative tool for planning. As teachers become comfortable with
the Descriptors, the standards’ matrices can be introduced. e CAN DO Descriptors are also
general enough to be appropriate to share with students’ family members to help them understand
the continuum of English language development.
e CAN DO Descriptors expand the Performance Denitions for the ELP standards by giving
suggested indicators (not a denitive set) in each language domain: listening, speaking, reading and
writing. More targeted than the Performance Denitions, the Descriptors have greater instructional
implications; that is, the information may be used to plan dierentiated lessons or unit plans. e
Descriptors may also apply to ACCESS for ELLs® scores and may assist teachers and administrators
in interpreting the meaning of the score reports. In addition, the Descriptors may help explain
the Speaking and Writing Rubrics associated with the ELP test. A distinguishing feature of these
Descriptors, although not explicitly mentioned, is the presence of sensory, graphic or interactive
support, through ELP level 4, to facilitate ELLs’ access to content in order to succeed in school.
e CAN DO Descriptors oer teachers and administrators working with ELLs a range of
expectations for student performance within a designated ELP level of the WIDA ELP Standards.
e Descriptors are not instructional or assessment strategies, per se. ey are exemplars of what
ELLs may do to demonstrate comprehension in listening and reading as well as production in
speaking and writing within a school setting. Unlike the strands of MPIs, the Descriptors do not
scaold from one ELP level to the next. Rather, each ELP level is to be viewed independently.
e CAN DO Descriptors included in this Resource Guide are written for the entire preK-12
spectrum. Given that they are generalized across grade spans, it is important to acknowledge the
variability of students’ cognitive development due to age, grade level spans, diagnosed learning
disabilities (if applicable) and their diversity of educational experiences. Due to maturation,
expectations of young ELLs dier substantially from those of older students. ese dierences must
be taken into account when using the Descriptors. In 2009, WIDA released new grade level cluster-
specic CAN DO Descriptors at www.wida.us.
Presented as an oral language and literacy matrix, similar to the format of the ELP standards, the
Descriptors should facilitate educators’ examination of the language domains for the ve levels of
English language prociency. ELP level 6, Reaching, is reserved for those students whose oral and
written English is comparable to their English-procient peers. Figure 5M presents the CAN DO
Descriptors of English oral language and literacy development across the levels of English language
prociency.
In Figure 5N, the CAN DO Descriptors for English language prociency have been translated
into Spanish. is version may be shared with parents literate in Spanish, perhaps at parent-teacher
conferences, or to set goals for an individual student’s English language development.
Resource Guide
RG-58
Figure 5M: CAN DO Descriptors for the Levels of English Language Prociency, PreK-12
For the given level of English language prociency, with support, English language learners can:
Level 1
Entering
Level 2
Beginning
Level 3
Developing
Level 4
Expanding
Level 5
Bridging
Level 6 Reaching
LISTENING
• Point to stated pictures,
words, phrases
• Follow one-step oral
directions
• Match oral statements
to objects, gures or
illustrations
• Sort pictures, objects
according to oral
instructions
• Follow two-step oral
directions
• Match information
from oral descriptions to
objects, illustrations
• Locate, select, order
information from oral
descriptions
• Follow multi-step oral
directions
• Categorize or sequence
oral information using
pictures, objects
• Compare/contrast
functions, relationships
from oral information
• Analyze and apply oral
information
• Identify cause and eect
from oral discourse
• Draw conclusions from
oral information
• Construct models based
on oral discourse
• Make connections from
oral discourse
SPEAKING
• Name objects, people,
pictures
• Answer WH- (who, what,
when, where, which)
questions
• Ask WH- questions
• Describe pictures, events,
objects, people
• Restate facts
• Formulate hypotheses,
make predictions
• Describe processes,
procedures
• Retell stories or events
• Discuss stories, issues,
concepts
• Give speeches, oral
reports
• Oer creative solutions to
issues, problems
• Engage in debates
• Explain phenomena,
give examples and justify
responses
• Express and defend
points of view
READING
• Match icons and symbols
to words, phrases or
environmental print
• Identify concepts about
print and text features
• Locate and classify
information
• Identify facts and explicit
messages
• Select language patterns
associated with facts
• Sequence pictures, events,
processes
• Identify main ideas
• Use context clues to
determine meaning of
words
• Interpret information or
data
• Find details that support
main ideas
• Identify word families,
gures of speech
• Conduct research to
glean information from
multiple sources
• Draw conclusions from
explicit and implicit text
WRITING
• Label objects, pictures,
diagrams
• Draw in response to a
prompt
• Produce icons, symbols,
words, phrases to convey
messages
• Make lists
• Produce drawings,
phrases, short sentences,
notes
• Give information
requested from oral or
written directions
• Produce bare-bones
expository or narrative
texts
• Compare/contrast
information
• Describe events, people,
processes, procedures
• Summarize information
from graphics or notes
• Edit and revise writing
• Create original ideas or
detailed responses
• Apply information to
new contexts
• React to multiple genres
and discourses
• Author multiple forms/
genres of writing
Variability of students’ cognitive development due to age, grade level spans, their diversity of educational experiences and diagnosed learning disabilities (if applicable) are to be
considered in using this information.
RG-59
Resource Guide
Figure 5N: Descripción de las Habilidades en los Niveles del Lenguaje Académico del Inglés, PreK-12
En cada nivel de capacidad en el lenguaje inglés, con apoyo, un estudiante de inglés puede hacer lo siguiente:
Nivel 1
Entrando
Nivel 2
Empezando
Nivel 3
Desarrollando
Nivel 4
Extendiendo
Nivel 5
Conectando
Nivel 6 Alcanzando
ESCUCHAR
• Señalar dibujos, palabras o
frases indicados
• Seguir instrucciones orales
de un paso
• Emparejar declaraciones
orales con objetos, guras
o ilustraciones
• Clasicar dibujos u
objetos siguiendo las
instrucciones verbales
• Seguir instrucciones
verbales de dos pasos
• Emparejar declaraciones
verbales con objetos,
guras o ilustraciones
• Localizar, seleccionar y orde-
nar información que provi-
ene de descripciones orales
• Seguir instrucciones verbales
de paso múltiples
• Clasicar o secuenciar
información oral usando
dibujos u objetos
• Comparar y contrastar
funciones y relaciones
de acuerdo a
información oral
• Analizar y aplicar
información oral
• Identicar causa y
efecto en discurso oral
• Sacar una conclusión
de información oral
• Construir modelos
basados en discurso
oral
• Hacer conexiones en
información oral
HABLAR
• Nombrar objetos, personas
y dibujos
• Contestar preguntas
(quién, qué, cuándo,
dónde, cuál)
• Preguntar
• Describir dibujos,
eventos, objetos y
personas
• Reformular y decir
hechos
• Formular hipótesis y hacer
predicciones
• Describir procesos
• Recontar cuentos o eventos
• Discutir cuentos,
cuestiones, y conceptos
• Hacer presentaciones
orales
• Ofrecer soluciones
creativas a cuestiones o
problemas
• Participar en debates
• Explicar fenómenos,
dar ejemplos y
justicar respuestas
• Expresar y defender
puntos de vista
LEER
• Emparejar símbolos y
dibujos con palabras, frases
o letras en la escritura en el
medioambiente
• Identicar conceptos de
la organización de letras y
elementos de textos
• Localizar y clasicar
información
• Identicar hechos y
mensajes directos
• Seleccionar patrones de
lenguaje asociados con
hechos
• Secuenciar dibujos, eventos
y procesos
• Identicar ideas principales
• Usar pistas del contexto para
determinar el signicado de
palabras
• Interpretar información
o datos
• Encontrar detalles
que apoyan las ideas
principales
• Identicar guras
retóricas y relaciones
entre palabras
• Realizar investigaciones
para reunir
información de fuentes
múltiples
• Sacar una conclusión
de texto explícito e
implícito
ESCRIBIR
• Etiquetar objetos, dibujos,
diagramas
• Dibujar respuestas a
instrucciones
• Producir íconos, símbolos,
palabras y frases para
comunicar un mensaje
• Hacer listas
• Producir dibujos, frases,
oraciones cortas y apuntes
• Dar información pedida
por instrucciones orales o
escritas
• Producir textos básicos
de estilo narrativo o
informativo
• Comparar y contrastar
información
• Describir eventos, personas,
procesos
• Resumir información
de representaciones
grácas o apuntes
• Corregir y revisar
escritura
• Crear ideas originales o
respuestas detalladas
• Aplicar información a
contextos nuevos
• Reaccionar a múltiples
géneros y discursos
• Redactar varias
formas/géneros de
composiciones
Translated by (Traducido por) Elizabeth J. Hartung, Monona Grove, WI; revised by (revisado por) Andrea Cammilleri, Mariana Castro and Stephanie Herrera, WIDA, Wisconsin Center for Education Research
El desarrollo cognoscitivo de los estudiantes puede variar según edad, grado, diversidad de las experiencias educacionales, y discapacidades de aprendizaje (si existen).
Esto se debe considerar al usar ésta información.
Appendices
68
Appendix 1: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does the 2007 Edition of WIDA’s English Language Prociency (ELP) standards supersede
that of 2004?
e information in this edition updates that of the original document. e standards remain
the same. ere are minor changes to the format of the frameworks. e strands of model
performance indicators (MPIs) are all new and they are intended to supplement, not supplant,
those of 2004.
2. What do we do if we have already aligned the 2004 strands of MPIs to our academic content
standards?
First of all, good for you! Don’t fret. Care was taken in ensuring a representative sample of
academic content topics as examples in every strand of MPIs; some MPIs are the same as those in
the rst edition, others are new. In the 2007 Edition, the example topics are explicit, rather than
implicit and the range of topics from state academic content standards and national organizations
is listed in section 3.4. In addition, example genre strands are interspersed with example topics in
Standard 2, the language of Language Arts. Combining strands of MPIs from both editions serve
to strengthen the breadth and depth of coverage.
3. Should we plan curriculum and instruction for our English language learners (ELLs) with
these additional strands of MPIs?
Absolutely! Remember, however, the ELP standards and the strands of MPIs do not constitute
a de facto curriculum, nor should they be used exclusively. e strands of MPIs are merely
suggestions, examples and ideas of how to begin to dierentiate assessment, curriculum and
instruction for ELLs.
We emphasize that although our standards remain constant, strands of MPIs are not restrictive;
they are intended to be uid and exible. e transformations of the dierent elements within the
MPIs show the adaptability of these strands for use by local programs, school districts or states.
Furthermore, all standards come under cyclical review by WIDA and its partner organizations
and member states. Analyses of ACCESS for ELLs® scores have helped inform the revisions of
the standards’ document. In this way, we are able to make ongoing improvements to both our
standards and assessments.
4. Should we combine both sets of strands of MPIs or use only one?
e sets of strands in both the 2004 and 2007 Editions are available to teachers and
administrators as resources. e WIDA ELP Standards served as the prototype for Teachers of
English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL’s) 2006 Prek-12 English language prociency
standards, so that is another helpful source to draw upon for classroom assessment, curriculum
and instruction.
69
Appendices
If thematic units have been designed around the strands of MPIs presented in the 2004 Edition,
don’t abandon them! You may want to consider revisiting them, as graphic, sensory and/or
interactive support is now present through English language prociency level 4. e new strands
of MPIs oer additional opportunities for ELLs to gain access to content through language.
5. What suggestions should we make to classroom teachers working with ELLs in regard to the
use of the ELP standards?
ose teachers who have gained familiarity with using the ELP standards should welcome
additional strands of MPIs to expand their potential repertoire for dierentiation of language.
Teachers and administrators who have not worked with the standards or who have had little
opportunity for professional development should begin with the 2007 Edition as it is most up-to-
date.
6. Should we concentrate our eorts on the Summative Framework as it most likely will be the
source for ACCESS for ELLs® questions?
No! While each framework serves a distinct purpose, the strands of MPIs from one framework can
be readily converted to the other and vice versa through transformations. Initially, ACCESS for
ELLs® was grounded in the 2004 Large-scale Assessment Framework. As approximately one-third
of the test items are replenished each year, the test developers now draw from both frameworks.
Appendices
70
Appendix 2: References and Further Readings
August, D. L., & Shanahan, T. (2006). Synthesis: Instruction and professional development. In
D. L. August & T. Shanahan (Eds.), Developing literacy in a second language: Report of the
National Literacy Panel. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Francis, D. J., Rivera, M., Lesaux, N., Rivera, H. (2006). Practical guidelines for the education
of English language learners: Research-based recommendations for instruction and academic
interventions. Houston, TX: Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics at the
University of Houston for the Center on Instruction.
Garcia, G. G. (Ed.). (2003). English learners: Reaching the highest level of English literacy. Newark,
DE: International Reading Association.
Gibbons, P. (2002). Scaolding language, scaolding learning: Teaching second language learners in the
mainstream classroom. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Gottlieb, M. (2006). Assessing English language learners: Bridges from language prociency to academic
achievement. ousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Gottlieb, M., Carnuccio, L., Ernst-Slavit, G., & Katz, A. (2006). PreK-K English language prociency
standards. Alexandria, VA: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Gottlieb, M., & Nguyen, D. (2007). Assessment and accountability in language education programs: A
guide for teachers and administrators. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon.
Kagan, S., Kagan, L., & Kagan, M. (2000). Reaching standards through cooperative learning: Providing
for all learners in general education classrooms. Port Chester, NY: National Professional
Resources.
McKeown, M. G, Beck, I. L., & Kucan, L. (2002). Bringing words to life: Robust vocabulary
instruction. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Rothenberg, C., & Fisher, D. (2007). Teaching English language learners: A dierentiated approach.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Schleppegrell, M. J. (2004). e language of schooling: A functional linguistics perspective. Mahwah,
NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
For a complete list of references that contributed to the theoretical foundation and development
of WIDA’s English Language Prociency Standards prior to the 2007 Edition, please see the 2004
Overview Document available in the ELP Standards section of www.wida.us.
71
Appendices
Appendix 3: Glossary
Academic content standards- statements that dene the knowledge and skills students need to
know and be able to demonstrate as proof of competency in the core content areas associated with
schooling
Academic language prociency- the use of language in acquiring academic content in formal
schooling contexts, including specialized or technical language and discourse related to each content
area
Analytic rubrics- scoring guides that consist of designated levels with specied components
consisting of dened criteria, such as the ACCESS for ELLs® Speaking and Writing Rubrics
CAN DO Descriptors- general performance indicators that describe typical behaviors of ELLs in
each language domain at each level of English language prociency
Discourse- extended, connected language that may include explanations, descriptions and
propositions
Domains- see Language domains
English language learners- linguistically and culturally diverse students who have been identied
(by the W-APT™ screener and other measures) as having levels of English language prociency that
preclude them from accessing, processing and acquiring unmodied grade-level content in English
English language prociency standards- criteria that express the language expectations of ELLs at
the end of their English language acquisition journey across the language domains
Formative Framework- strands of model performance indicators descriptive of ELLs’ language
development that help inform ongoing instruction and classroom assessment; that is, the process of
learning
General vocabulary- words or phrases not generally associated with a specic content area (e.g.,
describe, book)
Genre- category used to classify discourse and literary works, usually by form, technique or content;
an element of the strands of model performance indicators for Standard 2- the language of Language
Arts
Holistic rubrics- scoring guides or documentation forms that have a set of general criteria for
designated levels, such as the Performance Denitions
Interactive Supports- a type of scaold to help students communicate and facilitate their access
to content, such as by working in pairs or groups to conrm prior knowledge, using their native
language to clarify, or incorporating technology into classroom activities
Appendices
72
Language control- the comprehensibility of the communication based on the amount and types of
errors
Language domains- the four main subdivisions of language: listening, speaking, reading and writing
Language functions- the rst of the three elements in model performance indicators that indicates
how ELLs are to process or use language to demonstrate their English language prociency
Levels of English language prociency- the arbitrary division of the second language acquisition
continuum into stages of language development; the WIDA ELP Standards have 6 levels of language
prociency: 1- Entering, 2- Beginning, 3- Developing, 4- Expanding, 5- Bridging and 6- Reaching
Linguistic complexity- the amount and quality of speech or writing for a given situation
Listening- the ability to process, understand, interpret and evaluate spoken language in a variety of
situations
Model performance indicator (MPI)- a single cell within the English language prociency
standards’ matrices that is descriptive of a specic level of English language prociency for a language
domain
Performance Denitions- criteria that shape each of the six levels of English language prociency;
namely, linguistic complexity, vocabulary usage and language control
Productive language- language that is communicated; includes the language domains of speaking
and writing
Reading- the ability to process, understand, interpret and evaluate written language, symbols and
text with understanding and uency
Realia- real-life objects used for supporting language development
Receptive language- language that is processed and interpreted; includes the language domains of
listening and reading
Rubric- see Analytic or Holistic rubrics
Scaolding- building on already acquired skills and knowledge from level to level of language
prociency based on increased linguistic complexity, vocabulary usage and language control through
the use of supports
Sensory Supports- a type of scaold that facilitates students’ deeper understanding of language or
access to meaning through the senses (seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, or tasting)
73
Appendices
Social language prociency- the use of language for daily interaction and communication
Speaking- oral communication used in a variety of situations for a variety of purposes and audiences
Specialized vocabulary- academic terms or phrases associated with the content areas of Language
Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies
Strand of model performance indicators (MPIs)- the ve sequential or scaolded levels of English
language prociency for a given topic or genre and language domain
Summative Framework- strands of model performance indicators descriptive of English language
learners’ cumulative language development or outcomes of acquiring English; that is, the products of
learning
Supports- instructional strategies or tools used to assist students in accessing content necessary for
classroom understanding or communication; may include teachers employing techniques (such as
modeling, feedback or questioning), or students using visuals or graphics, interacting with others, or
using their senses to help construct meaning of oral or written language
Technical vocabulary- the most scientic or precise terminology associated with topics within the
content areas of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies
Topic- a particular theme or concept derived from state and national content standards that provides
a social or academic content-related context for language development; an element of model
performance indicators
Transformations- manipulations of the elements of model performance indicators, such as changing
the example topics or types of support, to personalize the representation of the English language
prociency standards for teachers and classrooms
Visually Supported- print or text that is accompanied by pictures, illustrations, photographs,
charts, tables, graphs, graphic organizers, or reproductions thereby oering English language learners
opportunities to access meaning from multiple sources
Vocabulary usage- the specicity of words or phrases for a given context
Writing- written communication used in a variety of forms for a variety of purposes and audiences
Appendices
74
Appendix 4: Acknowledgments
WIDA would like to extend its appreciation to the 2007 Standards Review Committee for analyzing
the proposed new strands of model performance indicators and providing excellent feedback for this
edition. Members included:
Jennifer Christenson, Center for Applied Linguistics, Washington, DC
Dr. M. Elizabeth Cranley, WIDA, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, Madison, WI
Robin M. Lisboa, Illinois State Board of Education, Chicago, IL
Mark Nigolian, Burlington Public Schools, Burlington, VT
Lori Ramella, New Jersey Department of Education, Trenton, NJ
Robin Rivas, Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, WI
Many thanks to the following individuals for:
Contributions, Reviews and Editing
Dr. Jim Bauman, Center for Applied Linguistics
Andrea Cammilleri, WIDA, Wisconsin Center for Education Research
Mariana Castro, WIDA, Wisconsin Center for Education Research
Jennifer Christenson, Center for Applied Linguistics
Dr. M. Elizabeth Cranley, WIDA, Wisconsin Center for Education Research
David Gabel, Center for Applied Linguistics
Dr. Margo Gottlieb, WIDA, Arlington Heights, IL
Robert F. Kohl, WIDA, Wisconsin Center for Education Research
Production
Beth Atkinson, Wisconsin Center for Education Research (design and layout)
Andrea Cammilleri, WIDA, Wisconsin Center for Education Research (coordination)
Laura DeZeeuw, WIDA, Wisconsin Center for Education Research (draft formatting)
e Authors’ Contributions
Dr. Margo Gottlieb, WIDA’s Lead Developer, deserves full credit for providing the vision
for this project as well as authoring the standards’ matrices and much of the Resource Guide.
e insight and work of Dr. M. Elizabeth Cranley, Associate Director of WIDA, has been
invaluable in shaping this Guide, the new strands of model performance indicators and
this project. Andrea Cammilleri, WIDA’s Public Relations Manager, coordinated editing,
revisions and the production process as well as designed and authored portions of the
Resource Guide.
For a complete list of individuals who contributed to the development of the WIDA English
Language Prociency Standards, 2004 Edition, please see the 2004 Overview Document available in
the ELP Standards section of www.wida.us.
©2007 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, on behalf of the WIDA Consortium
www.wida.us
