Multilingual Learners

🏫 Language Development Programs at District 212

District 212 offers two instructional models to support the development of English language skills for our multilingual learners:

• Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE)

• Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI)

These programs are designed to build students' proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English. Instruction is tailored to each student’s English language proficiency level, with supports gradually reduced as students gain confidence and independence in the language.

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📘 Instructional Approach

Multilingual classroom teachers use the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards to guide their planning and instruction. These standards ensure that language development is integrated with academic content across all subject areas.

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🌟 WIDA English Language Development Standards

Standard 1: Language for Social and Instructional Purposes
Students develop the language needed to interact socially and participate in classroom routines and school-wide activities.

Standard 2: Language for Language Arts
Students learn to express ideas and understand concepts essential for success in reading and writing.

Standard 3: Language for Mathematics
Students build the academic language necessary to solve problems, explain reasoning, and understand mathematical concepts.

Standard 4: Language for Science
Students use language to explore scientific ideas, explain phenomena, and describe experiments and data.

Standard 5: Language for Social Studies
Students communicate effectively about history, civics, geography, and other key social studies topics.

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These programs work hand-in-hand with general education and content-area teachers to ensure that multilingual learners are supported in every aspect of their academic journey.

📝 Home Language Survey & Language Proficiency Assessment

As part of the enrollment process, all families in the state of Illinois are required to complete a Home Language Survey (HLS) when registering their child in the district for the first time.

If the survey indicates that a language other than English is spoken at home, the student will take the WIDA Screener—an assessment used to measure English language proficiency. This helps determine whether the student qualifies for English Learner (EL) services.

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📬 Placement & Notification

If a student qualifies for EL services:

• Families will receive a placement notification letter by mail

• The student will receive language support services based on:

  • Their English language proficiency level

  • Literacy needs

  • Teacher recommendations

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❓ Questions?

If you have questions about your child’s assessment results or the EL services available, please contact the Multilingual Department Chair at your campus. We're here to support your child’s success!

🧪 English Language Proficiency Assessments

District 212 uses assessments to identify, support, and monitor multilingual learners as they develop English language proficiency. Below are the key assessments and policies related to EL services.

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📋 WIDA Screener (Initial Placement)

All students enrolling in the district for the first time who speak a language other than English at home take the WIDA Screener. This assessment helps determine eligibility for English Learner (EL) services.

• Students are considered English proficient if they achieve:

  • 5.0 or above in the oral language composite (listening & speaking), and

  • 4.2 or above in the literacy composite (reading & writing)

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🧑‍💻 ACCESS for ELLs (Annual Assessment)

All students receiving EL services take the ACCESS for ELLs Online each year to measure their progress in:

• Reading

• Writing

• Listening

• Speaking

This is a state-mandated assessment administered every January and February in Illinois.

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✅ Exit Criteria

• Students who earn an overall composite score of 4.8 or higher on the ACCESS assessment are exited from the EL program.

• Parents will receive written notification of the results and the student’s placement status.

• After exiting, the EL Department Chair and classroom teachers will monitor the student’s progress for two additional years to ensure continued success.

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❌ Refusal of EL Services

Parents may decline EL services at any time by submitting a written request to the EL Department Chair.

⚠️ Please note:
Per Illinois State Board of Education policy, students who are eligible for services but opt out must still take the ACCESS assessment each year until they reach an overall composite score of 4.8.