English Language Learners (ELL)

In the District 91 ELL Program, English Language Learners are assigned to a general education classroom and receive specialized instruction from an ELL and/or Bilingual teacher.

The amount of ELL instruction a student receives is based upon the individual student’s level of English Language Proficiency. Currently, our district utilizes a Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI) model. TPI services are offered in schools in which there are 19 or fewer Limited English as Proficient (LEP) students of the same language group.

The Purpose of Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI)

The purpose of TPI is to:

  • Develop English skills while learning grade-appropriate academic content. 

  • Develop both social and academic English language proficiency in all four domains (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) 

  • Assist students in meeting Common Core Standards as well as the Illinois English Language Proficiency Standards. 

  • Aid the classroom teacher by assisting in assessing the student’s ability, assisting in modifying the instructional approach, issuing progress reports, and participating in parent­teacher conferences. 

  • Instruction provided in English includes supports and modifications that are appropriate for the individual ELL student’s level of English Language Proficiency. 

  • If a teacher, assistant, or tutor is available who speaks the student’s home language, the school may provide support in the home language to the extent possible. Instruction varies in each building, depending upon the number of ELLs in the building, the number of available staff, the students’ English levels, and levels of literacy in the home language. The goal is to provide structured English instruction so that ELL students will be prepared to eventually transition to being successful in the classroom with no English language support.

Placement Procedures for English Language Learners (ELLs)

  1. Parents or legal guardians of all District 91 students complete a Home Language Survey during initial registration.

  2. All Home Language Surveys are sent to school secretaries who make copies and give them to the ELL teachers.

  3. Depending on the responses to the questions on the Home Language Survey, the ESL teacher may need to screen a student’s English proficiency to determine if he/she is limited English proficient and eligible for ELL services.

  4. If a student is eligible for ELL services, the family and the teacher will be informed.

  5. Families have the right to refuse ELL services. However, students in K through 12th grade who qualify for ELL services are required to take the annual ACCESS test even if families have refused ELL services.

Exit Procedures for English Language Learners (ELLs)

In keeping with Illinois State Guidelines, each student’s English language proficiency is assessed annually using the Illinois Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English from State­to­State for English Language Learners (ACCESS) test. Students will automatically exit the ELL program when the Illinois State Board of Education deems them proficient in English. This is determined through the ACCESS test scores (literacy and composite proficiency levels).

Once the student is exited, his/her progress will continue to be monitored by the ELL teacher for at least two years. https://www.wida.us/standards/CAN_DOs/ ­ download PDFs for each level

ELL Teachers

Aimee Edwards

Betsy Ross

Jill Torres

Garfield

Shannon Croisant

Field-Stevenson

Greg Ballweg

Forest Park Middle