Why ELL?
As new families register, they are required to complete a home language survey (HLS). The home language survey consists of two questions:“Is a language other than English spoken in your home?” And “Does your child speak a language other than English?” If the answer is yes to either one of the questions, we move on to the next step which is screener evaluation. District 109 uses WIDA Model screener to assess Kindergarten students and WIDA Screener for grades 1 and up. The screener serves as a preliminary evaluation for students who we believe may be ELL.
The screener assesses students' abilities in all four language domains (Listening, Speaking, Writing, and Reading), and evaluates Social and Instructional English as well as academic language corresponding to the subject areas of Language
Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Students in kindergarten who receive a 5.0 oral score (listening and speaking), are considered proficient and do not qualify for ELL services. Furthermore, students in grades 1st and up who receive an overall score of 5.0 or more are considered English proficient and may exit the ELL program. Students who score below 5.0 overall qualify for ELL services. The appropriate recommendation letter is sent home to the parents.
If the new student was identified as LEP in their previous district, a continuation of ELL services is offered within our ELL program. The appropriate recommendation letter is also sent home to the parents.
The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted new exit criteria. Effective this year, a student must obtain an overall composite proficiency level of 4.8 on the ACCESS 2.0 test to exit the ELL program. ACCESS for ELLs to be considered English language proficient. Any student that does not achieve the minimum composite, reading, and writing criteria is considered an English Language Learner (ELL).
The screener assesses students' abilities in all four language domains (Listening, Speaking, Writing, and Reading), and evaluates Social and Instructional English as well as academic language corresponding to the subject areas of Language
Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Students in kindergarten who receive a 5.0 oral score (listening and speaking), are considered proficient and do not qualify for ELL services. Furthermore, students in grades 1st and up who receive an overall score of 5.0 or more are considered English proficient and may exit the ELL program. Students who score below 5.0 overall qualify for ELL services. The appropriate recommendation letter is sent home to the parents.
If the new student was identified as LEP in their previous district, a continuation of ELL services is offered within our ELL program. The appropriate recommendation letter is also sent home to the parents.
The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted new exit criteria. Effective this year, a student must obtain an overall composite proficiency level of 4.8 on the ACCESS 2.0 test to exit the ELL program. ACCESS for ELLs to be considered English language proficient. Any student that does not achieve the minimum composite, reading, and writing criteria is considered an English Language Learner (ELL).