The guide is written for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and bilingual education specialists, classroom teachers, building administrators, and parents. It outlines the vision of the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) for the effective education of elementary and secondary school ESL students, and presents a framework for using TESOL standards in educational programs. It begins by explaining why ESL standards are needed and some myths about second language learning. It then outlines TESOL's vision of effective education for all students, and a number of general principles of language learning. It concludes by presenting the standards framework for ESL education in the form of three broad goals (use of English to communicate in social settings, use of English to achieve academically in all content areas, and use of English in socially and culturally appropriate ways), and within each goal, three more specific performance standards. (MSE)