North Dakota has adopted the WIDA's English Language Development Standards Framework for English learners in PreK - 12. The framework's vision of language development encompasses both social and academic contexts tied to schooling, particularly to standards, curriculum, and instruction. The WIDA English Language Development Standards are:

• ELP Standard 1: English learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.
• ELP Standard 2: English learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of language arts.
• ELP Standard 3: English learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of mathematics.
• ELP Standard 4: English learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of science.
• ELP Standard 5: English learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of social studies

ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL (GR. K - 8) STANDARDS-BASED GRADING

English learners must have access to the guaranteed and viable curriculum designed by the school district. They must be provided the opportunity and taught to the grade level standard, with necessary accommodations, that standard/category is not marked with an asterisk. A specialist providing specific supplemental interventions to English learners collaborate with classroom teachers to determine whether a standard/category is marked with an asterisk to indicate that instruction has been modified. The need for modifications for English learners is generally time-limited as they are expected to increase to a level of English proficiency where only accommodations are required.

When a standard/category is not marked with an asterisk, a quarterly unit guide for a sheltered instruction course (middle level) may include accommodations to help clarify instructional practices and a scaffold of learning targets. In English language arts, a learner's ACCESS score shapes the instructional level. If not in alignment with the grade level standards, achievement in that standard/category is marked with an asterisk. In addition to the standard report card, a progress report addressing language instruction is used as an excellent form of parent/guardian communication and learner feedback.

HIGH SCHOOL (GR. 9 - 12) LETTER GRADING

English learners must have access to the core content standards, either in a sheltered classroom or a core instructional classroom. Grading for these classes is a standard letter grade. Accommodations are provided according to the student's ILP. High school students must complete 23 credits to graduate.