MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS
Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (B-PAC)
Promises
The District 86 MLL Department works collaboratively with District staff, families, and community members to fulfill two key promises:
- Ensure that our school communities are informed about effective pedagogy and research on second language acquisition.
- Embrace, respect, and build upon the unique cultural and linguistic characteristics that students and families bring to Joliet Public Schools District 86
Identification
Joliet Public Schools District 86 requires a Home Language Survey (HLS) to be completed upon registration. The following questions are included and the student shall be identified as having a language background other than English if the answer to either question is yes:
- Is there a language other than English spoken in the student’s home and, if so, which language?
- Does the student speak a language other than English and, if so, which language?
Assessment and Placement
If a student is identified as having a language background other than English, he or she will be assessed using an English language proficiency screener. If the composite score on the assessment is less than 5.0, the student will be identified as a Multi Language Learner (MLL) student and will become eligible for bilingual education programming provided through one of the District’s language acquisition programs; the Transitional Bilingual Education Program or the Transitional Program of Instruction.
Language Acquisition Programs
Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) Program: The goal of the TBE program is to transition MLL students to the general education program upon meeting exit criteria set by the Illinois State Board of Education. The current exit criteria is attainment of a 4.8 Composite on ACCESS 2.0 for MLLs.
The Joliet Public Schools District 86 TBE Program provides instruction in the native/home language (Spanish) and in the core content areas including English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math. English as a Second Language (ESL) is provided daily. Instruction also includes the history and culture of the native land and the United States. Instruction in a TBE program must be aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards, WIDA English Language Development Standards, and the Spanish Language Arts Standards.
Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI): The goal of the TPI is to transition MLL students to the general education program upon meeting exit criteria set by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The current exit criteria is attainment of a 4.8 Composite on ACCESS. MLL students are entitled to services until they meet the exit criteria.
The Joliet Public Schools District 86 TPI provides daily English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. MLL students receive scaffolding and, when possible, native language support during instruction in all core content areas (English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math). Instruction must also include the history and culture of the native land and the United States. Instruction in the TPI is aligned to the IL Learning Standards and the WIDA English Language Development Standards.
Curriculum
For more information regarding the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Savvas Lectura / Literacy Curriculum (Grades K-5 Bilingual), please see the grade-specific documents below.
Elizabeth Greenwood, MLL Coordinator
815-740-3196 ext.8294
Tony Villagomez, MLL Coordinator
815-740-3196 ext.8121
Erika Diaz, MLL Administrator
815-740-3196 ext.8262
Alicia Aguilar, MLL Curriculum Secretary
815-740-3196 ext.8253
Rebecca Gutierrez, MLL Clerical Aide
815-740-3196 ext.8257