English Language Development
English Language Development (ELD) Program
The Scottsdale Unified School District’s English Language Development (ELD) Program philosophy is to provide specialized, academic English instruction to students who are not yet proficient in English and empower their families to achieve success and personal growth.
- Uphold high academic expectations for all students through highly effective teaching and data analysis
- Seek active partnerships with families and provide access to resources
- Ensure that administrators, teachers and staff are in compliance with the state and district initiatives through collaboration and professional development
Program Services
Participation in any of these programs is voluntary and requires parental signatures.
All students who enter Scottsdale schools with a Primary Home Language Other Than English (PHLOTE) are screened with the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA). Students who are found to be limited in English Proficiency are offered English Language Development instruction.
- Provide coherent instruction aligned with this state's English Language Proficiency Standards.
- Include oral and written language instruction, including structured opportunities to develop verbal and written skills and comprehension strategies.
- Include access to complex language content through grade-level textbooks with appropriate supports.
- Include parental engagement strategies.
Services for students include:
- Teachers specialized & trained in English Language Development and Structured English Immersion Strategies
- Focused curriculum and materials
- Immigrant Services
- Native American services
- Compensatory Education services such as before & after school, and summer school
- Instructional Interventions
- Academic monitoring and testing services
Services for parents and families include:
- Translation and Interpretation services
- Parent education
- Assistance with social services and school/home communication
Services for teachers, administrators, and staff include:
- English Language Development Training
- Professional Development
- Coaching
- Translation and Interpretation services
Program Elements:
- English Language Development (ELD) Oral English and Conversation, Reading, Vocabulary, Writing & Grammar
- Program teachers have either a BLE (bilingual), ESL (English as a Second Language) or SEI (Structured English Immersion) endorsement
- Structured English Immersion (SEI) placement is a temporary transition period not normally intended to exceed one year
- ELL students remain in the SEI program until they reach the English “proficient” level on the AZELLA per §ARS-15-756.B, 15-756.05.A.
Contact Us
ELD Program Contacts
David Priniski
Director of State and Federal Programs
480-484-5056
Shawn Crosier
Coordinator of State & Federal Programs
480-484-6273
Christina Diaz
Administrative Support Coordinator
480-484-5052
ELD Budget
Brenda Spisak
Coordinator / Compliance of State & Federal Grants
480-484-5010
ELD Centralized Data
Lisa Heimburg
Assessment Support Coordinator
480-484-5053
Tori Cockerhern
Fiscal Support Technician
480-484-5054
ELD Coaches
Laura Henry
480-484-5118
Lori Kelly
480-484-5121
Jaime White
480-484-5006
Translation Specialists/Interpreters
Claudia Hernandez
480-484-5059
Luis Montes
480-484-6201