Language Acquisition

“English Learner” (EL) means any student in preschool through grade 12, whose home language background is a language other than English and whose proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding of English is not yet sufficient to meet grade-level standards in an English setting.

A Home Language Survey is completed for every student when they enter the school district.

• “Home Language” means the language most typically used in the home by the student and/or by the student’s parents or legal guardians.
• When students indicate another language besides English is spoken in the home on the Home Language Survey, they are screened for English proficiency.
• The screener scores determine English proficiency and eligibility for an English Learner program. The test administrator will explain the criteria.
• No later than 30 days after the beginning of the school year OR 14 days after the enrollment of any student that qualifies for language services, the school district notifies by mail the parents or legal guardians of the student that their child has been enrolled in the DL, TBE, or TPI program
• English Learners will take the ACCESS test of English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing once a year. The ACCESS test results determine if a student will continue to qualify for an English Learner Program the following year.
• English Learners will no longer be eligible for services and exit the program if they receive an Overall Composite Score of 4.8 or above on ACCESS.

At East Aurora School District 131, Transitional Bilingual Education is offered when there are more than 20 English Learners with the same home language and qualify for full-time language services based on the screening process. This program’s end goal is for students to reach a high level of language and literacy development and achievement in English.

Students who qualify for this program receive instruction in Spanish and English, complemented with instructional strategies that support language acquisition. Instruction transitions to the language of instruction being completely in English.

The Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI) is offered when there are less than 20 students who speak the same language and qualify for language services based on the established district criteria. The program provides support to help students succeed in academic subjects and acquire English.

The districtwide Dual Language program in grades K-4 is designed to ensure that all students become bilingual, bi-literate, and multicultural with the ability to engage with their learning in an increasingly global society meaningfully.

The district employs two models of Dual Language education. We offer both a 1-Way and 2-Way program. The 1-Way program is designed for English Learners only, and instruction starts at an 80% Spanish and 20% English ratio. The 2-Way program is designed for English Learners and monolingual students. Instruction is at a 50% Spanish – 50% English ratio, and it is a 2-Teacher model. The goal of both programs is to prepare students for the future with abilities to listen, speak, read, and write in both English and Spanish, while developing an appreciation for different cultures.

Students begin in kindergarten and continue in this program until 4th grade, even if they are no longer considered English Learners. To learn more about EA’s Dual Language Program, visit : add link or button to Dual Program