The Understanding Language District Engagement subcommittee has developed a set of six key principles for instruction that helps ELLs meet the rigorous, grade level academic standards found in the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. These principles are meant to guide teachers, coaches, ELL specialists, curriculum leaders, school principals, and district administrators as they work to develop standards-aligned instruction. The principles are applicable to any type of instruction regardless of grade, proficiency level, or program type.

To ensure students' linguistic, cognitive, and academic potential is realized, state English language proficiency (ELP) standards must align with and support development of the language capacities found in the new content standards. This brief discusses the implications for designing appropriately aligned next-generation ELP standards, assessments, and instruction.