English Language Proficiency Standards

English language proficiency is the level of English language knowledge and skills needed by a student who is an English learner to be academically successful. The 2015 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires that states develop and adopt English language proficiency (ELP) standards that are aligned with challenging academic content standards. This means that the ELP standards reflect the language required for a student to succeed in academics. ELP standards adopted by states must be based on the English proficiency domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. They must define levels of proficiency of English learners. Annual summative ELP assessments measure English learners’ progress toward meeting these proficiency standards.