EL stands for English Learners, students whose primary home language is other than English. The ELD program facilitates English language acquisition through oral communication skills of comprehension through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The program also ensures effective and meaningful participation in regular education. Students are provided ELD services through certified ELD specialists in the development language. 

Title III is a 100% federally funded supplemental program that concentrates on delivering language instruction educational programs to students who have a primary language other than English. All of the funds are used through various state-approved activities: 

1. Supplemental Instructional tools for English learners
2. Teacher Professional Development
3. Parent Engagement and Family Resources
4. Services to participating non-public entities. 

School districts must continue to provide English Language Development services to all active ELs as guided by PDE until the English Learners are reclassified through the Reclassification Critieria by achieving English Language proficiency based on Access testing for ELLs 2.0. 

ACCESS for ELs 2.0 is a secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment administered to Kindergarten through 12th grade students who have been identified as English Learners (ELs). It is given annually in WIDA Consortium member states to monitor students’ progress in acquiring academic English.

In 2007 the USDE released guidance on participation of LEP students (ELs) in state assessments. This flexibility allows ELs students in their first 12 months of enrollment in U.S. schools an option of taking the Reading PSSA. A student’s enrollment in a school in Puerto Rico is not to be considered as enrollment in a U.S. school.

ELs who fall into the first category are considered to be in their first year in a U.S. school and are not required to take the PSSA ELA test. All ELs are required to participate in the Mathematics PSSA and the Science PSSA with accommodations as appropriate. All ELs, K-12, are required to take the WIDA ACCESS for ELs 2.0 English Proficiency Test.

The Mathematics PSSA scores of ELs in their first year of enrollment in U.S. schools as defined above will not be used to determine performance (the percent proficient or higher) for federal accountability status. Their participation will be counted for federal accountability purposes.

Should first-year ELs choose to participate in the ELA PSSA assessment, their performance will not be included but their participation will be counted for federal accountability purposes. Should they choose not to participate, their lack of participation will not count against the school or district. Students who are expected to exit EL services in the current school year should be encouraged to take the ELA PSSA.

Parents who are literate in other languages can be beneficial in developing their children's literacy skills. Reading, speaking, listening, and writing in students' native language will strengthen their ability to acquire English as a second language. Engaging in conversations in both languages, discussing school experiences, and educational videos can jumpstart language acquisition.