Focusing on EL Language Use to Leverage Content Achievement: WIDA ELD Standards Updates
State academic achievement standard expectations require students to use language to make meaning, collaboratively critique ideas, and develop deeper understandings of knowledge, principles, and practices that are specific to the academic content areas. This session includes a preview of Fall 2018 updates being made to the WIDA English language development (ELD) Standards and changes in the field that necessitate these updates. The presenters will share examples of how to strategically leverage student language use in order to progress in content area knowledge construction. They will provide examples of how school leaders and staff developers might employ the updated standards to identify and provide opportunities for ELs, in particular focusing on critical language awareness, effective communication during small group interactions, and meaningful use of language for particular purposes and audiences.