EXCLUSIVE ELL PROGRAM

Home Language Survey

The Home Language Survey (HLS) must be verified and signed by the student’s parent(s) or
guardian(s); an emancipated youth may complete the HLS. Districts with a policy for accepting
verified electronic signatures may allow parents to complete the HLS and sign it electronically.
Districts should retain electronically the completed HLS in the same manner that they retain
other documents required for Consolidated Program Review, placing it in the student
cumulative file.

If the parent indicates that the child first learned another language and English simultaneously
or currently uses both English and another language, administer the state-approved language
proficiency placement test.

If a language other than English is indicated in the responses to any other question on the
Home Language Survey or enrollment forms, but the student’s primary language is identified as
English, follow up with parents/guardians to ensure that the questions were accurately
answered.

Language Proficiency Placement Test (Screener)

Students whose primary language is a language other than English must be assessed by the
tenth day of attendance with the state-approved language proficiency placement test/screener.
The WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and the WIDA Online Screener or WIDA Paper Screener for
students who require accommodations is recommended.

Eligibility for the TEd. Transitional Program is determined by a student's domain scores and
overall score on the WIDA Screener assessment each student takes. Students must meet the
minimum score in all four domains and the overall composite score to be determined ineligible
for services.

Parent Notification of Eligibility

Parental permission is not needed to assess a student’s English language proficiency for
placement purposes. Districts must notify parents when a student initially qualifies for English
language development support services. Districts must also send parents/guardians their
student’s results on the annual state language proficiency assessment and notification of
whether the student continues to qualify for services. This can be done using the Timekettle
app. in the parent/guardian’s home language.

Parent notification of initial placement or continued eligibility must be sent to parents no later
than 30 days after the beginning of the school year or within two weeks of placement if the
student qualifies for language support services during the school year.

How will I know that my student is ready to exit the TEd. Transitional Program?

After accomplishing level 6 WIDA Proficiency Level Descriptors and scoring 6.0 on all four
domains, TEd. students will be learning about 90% of the curriculum in English. By this time,
they will have a good understanding of common and more complex English words, phrases, and
sentences and will be able to figure out English words using context clues, will understand
common language patterns in English, and will use more complex sentences in English
conversationally and to describe people, places or things. They will begin to show correct
sentence structure in their speaking, reading and writing abilities in English. These goals will
vary among grade levels and students, and each student will have their individual goals set up
according to their age and ability and once all goals have been accomplished, the student will
be eligible for exiting the TEd. Transitional Program.