English Language Proficiency

The video linked above provides an overview of Montana’s 2025 English Language Proficiency (ELP) K-12 Content Standards, including the revision process, the standards and performance descriptors, and key implementation resources. Educators will also learn where to find guidance documents, beginner supports, and professional learning opportunities to strengthen instruction for English Learners. Read the accompanying video transcript.

This document is designed to support educators and administrators with guidance and tools for implementing Montana’s English Language Proficiency Content Standards, adopted by the Board of Public Education in 2023 and set for implementation in July 2025.

The Montana ELP standards are based upon the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, which include four components: WIDA ELD Standards Statements, Key Language Uses, Language Expectations, and Proficiency Level Descriptors.

Montana is a member of the WIDA consortium. To help clarify terminology, Montana adopted standards that align with the WIDA standards but Montana refers to these as the English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards, wherein WIDA refers to them as the English Language Development (ELD) Standards. For more information on funding, forms, and processes please visit the English Learners website.

Resources

• ELL Strategies & Best Practices: A bilingual site for educators and families of English language learners: Colorin Colorado!

Professional Learning

• An Interview with Serena Wright and Allyson Fraser on English Language Learners

Last Best Learning Podcast Episode 5: Every Voice Every Day: Addressing an Expanding Need in Montana , with special guests Serena Wright and Allyson Fraser

Last Best Learning Podcast Episode 7: Every Voice Every Day: Embracing Diversity Through Inclusive Instruction with special guests, Carrie Owen, Rebecca Turk, and Aria Peters

• WIDA offers Professional Learning that you can complete when you want, where you want, and at your own pace.
  • Log into your WIDA Secure Portal account. Don't have an account yet? Visit your member/state page on the WIDA website to learn more
  • Click on the "Professional Learning" icon to view available workshops.
  • Review the workshop descriptions and choose the workshops that best meet your professional goals.
• Video explaining the updates to the Home Language Survey

Can Do Descriptors

The Can Do Descriptors highlight what language learners can do at various stages of language development as they engage in the following contexts:

• Bilingual and English-immersion early care and education programs
• Bilingual, Spanish-immersion and English-immersion K-12 language programs
• Bilingual, Spanish-immersion and English-immersion K-12 content-area classrooms

Similar to the WIDA English Language Development Standards Statements, the Can Do Descriptors describe what learners can do with language across different content areas. Although the Can Do Descriptors relate to the ELD Standards Statements, they don’t replace them but are used to supplement the standards statements during instruction.

Educators and early childhood practitioners can use the Can Do Descriptors to

• Better understand what students at different levels of language proficiency can do with language
• Expand their understanding of what the process of language development can look like
• Collaborate around scaffolding that students need to engage in content-area learning and develop language at the same time
• Differentiate instruction and classroom assessment for language
• Interpret ACCESS for ELLs test scores

Can Do Descriptors and the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition

The Can Do Descriptors have not yet been updated to reflect the 2020 Edition; however, they remain available as a valuable tool for communicating with stakeholders about what students can do at each language proficiency level. WIDA is monitoring educator use to help inform the timing for updating the materials.

K-12 Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition

• This edition is organized around four overarching communicative purposes called Key Uses: Recount, Explain, Argue, Discuss.
• The Descriptors are organized by the following grade level clusters, corresponding with ACCESS for ELLs and WIDA Screener.
• To purchase copies of the K-12 Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition that are color printed and bound, visit the WIDA Store.
  • Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition Kindergarten
  • Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition Grade 1
  • Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition Grades 2-3
  • Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition Grades 4-5
  • Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition Grades 6-8
  • Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition Grades 9-12

Alternate Can Do Descriptors

• The Alternate Can Do Descriptors (Alt Can Dos) are the first-ever Can Do Descriptors for multilingual learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The Alt Can Dos exemplify what students can do with communication and language at various stages of English language development.
• The Alt Can Dos are arranged into the same grade-level clusters (K–2, 3–5, 6–8 and 9–12) as WIDA Alternate ACCESS. Within each grade-level cluster, the Alt Can Dos are organized by interpretive (listening and reading) and expressive (speaking and writing) communication modes for each WIDA ELD Standard and the five levels of English language development.

Early Years Can Do Descriptors

• The Early Years Can Do Descriptors provide examples of language use for three overarching communicative purposes: Express Self, Recount, Inquire (for receptive and expressive language domains).
• They are organized by the following age clusters: 2.5-3.5, 3.5-4.5, 4.5-5.5
• To purchase copies of the Early Years Can Do Descriptors that are color printed and bound, visit the WIDA Store.
• Can Do Descriptors, Early Years (includes all age clusters)
• Los descriptors Podemos: Educación temprana

WIDA ACCESS Assessment Resources