Entrance/Exit and Program Services

Entering the English Language Development (ELD) Program

How does my student qualify for English language development support?

1. Home Language Survey (HLS)
At registration, parents/guardians complete the Home Language Survey (HLS).
If any language other than English is indicated, the student is administered the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA).

2. AZELLA Placement Testing
The Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) is a standards-based assessment that meets state and federal requirements to determine a student’s English language proficiency.

3. Eligibility for ELD Services
If a student scores less than proficient on the AZELLA, they are eligible for ELD services.
Parents/guardians are notified of eligibility using the Parental Notification and Consent form.

AZELLA Overall Proficiency Determination

4. Accessing AZELLA Results
AZELLA results are available in ParentVUE under Documents. Kyrene ParentVUE Login Page

5. Annual Assessment 
Students receiving ELD services take the AZELLA annually until they achieve proficiency. The growth of English language proficiency is monitored over time to ensure success.

(Procedures follow A.R.S. §15-751–756.)

Exit Procedures

How will my child exit ELD services?

A overall proficient score on the AZELLA exits a student from the ELD program. A notice of reclassification form will be provided to families.

ELD Program Services

My child qualifies for the ELD program.  What support will they receive?

• Targeted English Language Development (ELD)

Instruction for English Learners only that provides explicit English language instruction to provide the skills needed to engage with rigorous, grade-level content.

• Integrated English Language Development

Occurs during English Language Arts (ELA) in the mainstream classroom, where teachers intentionally integrate literacy and language instruction into content learning.

• Arizona English Language Proficiency Standards

Instruction is guided by these standards, which outline the language knowledge and skills students need to gain English proficiency and access Arizona’s academic content standards. Arizona English Language Proficiency Standards

• Certified English Language Development Teachers

Integrated and Targeted ELD Instruction is provided by a certified teacher who holds a Structured English Immersion (SEI), English as a Second Language (ESL), or Bilingual endorsement.

Parental Rights

What are my rights as a parent/guardian of a student who qualifies for ELD services?

Parents/guardians have the legal right to refuse ELD services for their child by completing Parental Request for Student Withdrawal form. The student will continue to be assessed annually to determine progress in English using the AZELLA assessment.