DoDEA provides an English as a Second Language (ESL) program for students whose native language is not English. The goal of this program is to develop students' English language abilities so that their academic performance is equivalent to native English-speaking students of the same age and grade level. The program serves both students who are beginning to learn English and those who have developed a high level of oral proficiency, but are performing below grade level in reading and writing because of their limited ability to read and write in English.