Multilingual Learners

The goal of District 303 is to ensure high levels of learning (grade level and beyond) for each of our students. At the same time, for Multilingual Learners, we also strive to develop a student's academic language so that they are better able to access and master grade level standards.

The shared vision for our program is that All District 303 Multilingual Learners will actively acquire English proficiency and academic content knowledge in an inclusive environment that leverages the assets of our students and values their native language(s) and cultures.

Assessments

Illinois is one of 39 states that utilizes WIDA and WIDA assessments in serving Multilingual Learners. WIDA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving English language development and academic achievement through standards, research, assessment, and professional development. All Illinois English language proficiency screeners and assessments are published by WIDA.

Initial Identification

The state of Illinois requires all school districts to screen students from homes where languages in addition to or other than English are spoken. A Home Language Survey is given to each student when they enroll 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 then given a WIDA screening assessment to determine their level of English language proficiency and eligibility for English language support at school. If eligible, parents are notified of the placement recommendation for their child and the student can then begin to receive support from a teacher certified in teaching Multilingual Learners.

Annual Assessments & Communication

Eligible MLs students are assessed each year to determine their progress toward English language proficiency. Parents will receive the results of the assessment along with information stating whether the student continues to be eligible for English language services.

English Proficiency & Program Exit

The annual assessment (WIDA ACCESS test) measures a student's proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students who achieve an overall score of at least 4.8 will exit the program for MLs. After exiting, the English language teacher will continue to consult with the general classroom teachers and monitor the student's progress for a period of 2 years.

Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI)

This program is offered to students in schools in which there are 19 or fewer English Learners of the same language group. Students are assigned to a general education classroom and receive specialized instruction from an EL Specialist. The EL Specialist may work in the student's general classroom to provide instruction, and there may be times when a student is instructed outside of his/her general class in a small group setting for targeted English Language Development.

TPI services are available at all District 303 elementary schools.

Multilingual Paraprofessionals (Spanish)

There are Multilingual Paraprofessionals on staff to assist Spanish speaking students who benefit from this support.

Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE)

Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) is a state-approved program in Illinois designed to support English Learners (ELs) from the same language background in reaching the goal of English proficiency. TBE is provided to students in schools in which there are 20 or more English Learners of the same language group. Core academic subjects are taught in the home language of the ELs and in English, with an increasing amount of instruction in English as students’ English proficiency progresses. D303 employs two TBE program models– Collaborative TBE and In-Classroom TBE. In the Collaborative TBE model, Bilingual Resource Specialists (BRSs) and general education classroom teachers co-plan and deliver instruction that supports both content mastery and language acquisition. In the In-Classroom TBE model, the classroom teacher holds a bilingual endorsement, and therefore provides instruction that supports both content mastery and language acquisition him/herself with support from the BRS as needed.

Types of Services within TBE: ELs in a TBE program can receive either Full-Time or Part-Time TBE services:

• Full-Time TBE services provide students with additional instruction in the core content areas (Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) in their home language as well as provide English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. Additionally, full-time TBE services include instruction in the history and culture of the English Learners’ native lands and the United States. To qualify for Full-Time TBE, an EL in the 2nd semester of Kindergarten - 5th grade must have a WIDA screener/ACCESS literacy composite score below 3.5. A 1st semester Kindergartener must have a WIDA screener oral composite score below 4.0. A student’s eligibility for Full-Time TBE is re-evaluated yearly via ACCESS.
• Part-Time TBE services only provide instruction in the student’s home language when beneficial to the student/on an as-needed basis. Part-Time TBE services provide daily instruction in English and in the student's home language as determined by the student's educational needs. To qualify for Part-Time TBE, an EL in the 2nd semester of Kindergarten - 5th grade must have a WIDA screener/ACCESS literacy composite score greater than or equal to 3.5. A 1st semester Kindergartener must have a WIDA screener oral composite score greater than or equal to 4.0.

Spanish TBE services are available at the following District 303 elementary schools: Anderson, Fox Ridge, Munhall, and Richmond.

The EL services and program structure in grades 6-12 align with each building's class schedule. Each EL’s courses may differ depending on the student's native language and their English proficiency level.

English Language Development (ELD) courses are offered at both the middle school and high school level. Students in need of native language support in Spanish receive services from a Bilingual certified teacher. Additionally, Multilingual Paraprofessionals (Spanish) are on staff to assist students who benefit from this support in core content area courses.

EL services are available at all District 303 middle schools and high schools.