Multilingual Learners

District 212 offers Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) and Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI) to support English language development in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Multilingual classroom teachers provide instruction to students based on their English language proficiency level, with a gradual release of support as students increase proficiency.

Multilingual teachers utilize the WIDA English Language Development Standards in their instructional planning to support language development.

Standard 1: Language for Social and Instructional Purposes
Multilingual learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.

Standard 2: Language for Language Arts
Multilingual learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of language arts.

Standard 3: Language for Mathematics
Multilingual learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of math.

Standard 4: Language for Science
Multilingual learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of science.

Standard 5: Language for Social Studies
Multilingual learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of social studies.

 

Parents in the state of Illinois are required to complete a Home Language Survey (HLS) when enrolling in the district for the first time. If a parent indicates on the Home Language Survey that there is another language other than English spoken in the home, students are given the WIDA Screener assessment to determine their English language proficiency level and eligibility for EL services. 

If a student qualifies for EL services, parents are notified of the placement recommendation by mail. The student will be provided with language support based on their English language proficiency level, literacy needs and teacher recommendations.

If there are questions about the assessment results or the services offered, parents are encouraged to contact the Multilingual Department Chair. 

WIDA Screener
Students enrolling in the district are assessed with the WIDA Screener to help identify whether a student is a candidate for EL services. A student that achieves a 5.0 or above in the oral language composite (speaking and listening) AND 4.2 literacy composite (reading and writing) is considered English proficient.

ACCESS for ELLs
EL students are assessed each year to determine their progress toward English language proficiency with the ACCESS for ELLs Online. This computer-based, adaptive test measures a student's proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. ACCESS is a required assessment in the state of Illinois for all students eligible for EL services and is administered in January and February.

Exit Criteria
Parents will receive the results of the assessment along with information stating whether the student continues to be eligible for English language services. Students who achieve an overall composite score of at least 4.8 will exit the EL program. After exiting, the EL Department Chair will continue to consult with classroom teachers and monitor the student's progress for a period of two years.

Refusal of Services
At any time, a parent may decline EL services. Parents must submit this request in writing to the EL Department Chair. Per the Illinois State Board of Education, students who are eligible for service, but whose parents refuse, must continue to take ACCESS annually until they earn a 4.8 overall composite score.