Language Screening
The State of Illinois requires families who are registering for the first time in the school district to complete a Home Language Survey for each child. Round Lake includes a home language survey in English and other languages as part of the registration process. The law requires Round Lake to administer an English language proficiency assessment if a language other than English is spoken by the child or is present in the home. This assessment must be administered within 30 days of the beginning of the school year or 14 days after enrollment during the school year.
SCREENING
Prekindergarten: The Pre-IPT (Idea Proficiency Test) was developed to assess the oral English language proficiency of pre-school children whose home language is not English. This assessment is designed for preschool children who are not used to taking tests. The Pre-IPT provides students an opportunity to demonstrate their English language abilities in a low-anxiety environment through the use of a story.
Kindergarten - 12th grade: World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) is an organization whose mission is to advance academic language development and academic achievement for linguistically diverse students through high quality standards, assessments, research, and professional development for educators.
WIDA developed assessments to measure English language proficiency in the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
The purpose of these English language proficiency assessments is to help educators determine whether a student qualifies for bilingual or English language support services.
WIDA’S MISSION, VISION AND VALUES
English Language Proficiency Screeners
The state of Illinois has approved the following assessments and cut scores to determine whether a student is English proficient.
| Grade | Assessment | English Proficient Score |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K | English Oral Pre-IPT (Listening and Speaking) |
Age 3: Score a Level D or E Age 4 or 5: Score a Level E |
| 1st Semester of Kindergarten | WIDA Screener for Kindergarten (Listening and Speaking) | At least 5.0 Oral Language Proficiency |
| 2nd Semester of K through 1st Semester of 1st Grade | WIDA Screener for Kindergarten (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) | WIDA Screener for Kindergarten - Overall Composite 5.0 or higher |
| 2nd Semester of 1st Grade - 12th Grade | WIDA Screener | Overall Composite of at least 5.0 |
| Grades 1- 12 | ACCESS (Online or Paper) | Overall Composite of at least 4.8 |
Screener results are used to determine program placement and the level of English Language services necessary for your child to be successful in the school setting. Parents will then be notified of program placement in writing either at the time of the screening or by mail. Notification will be both in English and the home language. Parents will continue to receive notification of program placement each school year until the child attains English language proficiency.
Note: Students who qualify for English Language services will have to take the ACCESS, the state English proficiency exam, each year until reaching state exit criteria.