Pennsylvania School Code (22 PA. Code §4.26) states: “Every school district shall provide a program for each student whose dominant language is not English for the purpose of facilitating the student's achievement of English proficiency and the academic standards under § 4.12 (relating to academic standards). Programs under this section shall include appropriate bilingual-bicultural or English as a second language (ESL) instruction".

There are many program models from which a school or district may choose. PDE does not endorse one particular model over another. However, the program model each district chooses must meet the following criteria:

• be aligned to state academic content standards for the appropriate grade level of the ELs;
• include ELD instruction delivered by properly certified teachers who hold an ESL program specialist certificate or who are working in conjunction with ESL certified teachers;
• incorporate the use of the PA ELDS;
• provide equitable access to content for ELs at all language proficiency levels by providing research-based bilingual or sheltered instruction with fidelity; and
• not limit the enrollment of ELs in any course or academic program for which they would otherwise be eligible.
  
  

PDE has identified six specific ESL program models:

• Mixed Class Bilingual
• EL Bilingual
• EL Specific Transitional Instruction
• Mixed Classes with Native Language Support
• EL Specific English Only Instruction
• Mixed Classes with English Only Support