English Language Development (ELD)

Currently there are over 600 Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs) in Blair's English Language Development (ELD) Program which account for approximately 19% of the current student population. Another 23% of Blair's current enrollment are former ELD students who exited the program at Blair or one of its feeder schools.

Students in the ESOL program are tested and placed as follows:

Level 1 - Entering Level Level 2 - Beginning Level Level 3 - Developing Level Level 4 - Expanding Level

Students are tested during the year and are moved from level to level as needed.

Classes and Support Offered by the ELD Department

Intensive English Classes

EMLs at Level 1 and 2 take a double-period ELD English class that combines grade-level ELA standards with English acquisition. Upper-level EMLs take a single-period ELD English class or a Bridge English class that is co-taught by ELD and ELA teachers. In all classes, teachers emphasize listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

Sheltered Content Classes

ELD teachers offer sheltered content classes to selected students in developmental reading and foundational math.

Sheltered and Supported classes offered to EMLs

Social Studies

U.S. History, NSL Government, and World History

Science

Earth Systems and Sustainability; Astronomy with Physics; Biology

Math

Algebra and Geometry