What is the Multilingual Program?

The purpose of the Multilingual Program is to increase English language proficiency.  District 80 teachers create classroom settings where all languages and cultures are valued.   Research-based learning strategies are used to align the Multilingual Program with grade level curriculum to provide a challenging educational program for all students.   The goal of the program is to help students function in the classroom at high levels of social and academic English proficiency.  

How does a student qualify for the Multilingual Program?

All students new to the district are required by state law to complete a Home Language Survey.  When "yes" is answered to one or more of the questions the attending school is required to assess the student's English language proficiency. 

Students must be assessed within 30 days of their first day in the district.  

Kindergarten student are assessed using the WIDA Measure of Developing English Language (MODEL).  For second semester of 1st grade through 8th grade, students are assessed using the WIDA Online Screener to determine eligibility for EL services.   

Parents of students who are eligible for EL services will receive a letter of notification regarding their child's eligibility for EL services.  If there are questions about the services parents should contact the Coordinator of Student Services.  

What does the program look like?

There are a few program models available in the district.  Students qualify for a program model based on the number of students in the school who speak the same language and/or on the assessment results.  The following programs are available:

Transitional Program of Instruction:  this program provides English as a Second Language (ESL).  In this program the majority of the instruction take place in the general education classroom with push-in support form an ESL teacher.   Students with lower proficiency levels in English may receive additional support from an ESL teacher for an additional pull out time.  

Transitional Bilingual Education:  this program provides instruction in both English and a student's native language in order to help students learn the core academic subjects required for all students.    Students qualify for part time or full time support.  

Newcomer: short term program available to recent immigrants.  Students receive ESL and content area instruction designed to address any gaps in learning and help smooth the transition to the classroom.

How does a student exit the program?

The State of Illinois has established exit criteria for Multilingual services.  

A student who obtains an overall composite proficiency level of 4.8 on the ACCESS Assessment.  ACCESS must be taken yearly by all students who qualify for services.  

The ACCESS test measures a student's English Language in four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.  

Parents, at any time, may decline English Language services.  Parent must indicate, in writing, to the coordinator of student services.  Students who do not receive services are required to take the ACCESS assessment yearly until a score of 4.8 on the overall composite is achieved.  

The ACCESS assessment is required by the Illinois State Board of Education.  The district can not exclude students from ACCESS.  

Can you tell me about the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee?

A school district is required to have a Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) when there are 20 English learner students of the same home language.  BPC is made up of bilingual parents with students currently enrolled in the ML program, as well as teachers and other school staff.  The members participate in the planning, operation, and evaluation of the ML program in the district.

Where can I find additional information?

Please contact the building assistant principal for additional information.  

Director of Student Services: Mr. Peter Masters (pmaster@norridge80.net)

Coordinator of Student Services: Mr. Joseph Koletsos (jkotetsos@norridge80.net)