College of Education & Human Services

Lesson 1: Illinois State Board of Education Laws

Overview of Law

The Illinois State Board of Education has specific instructions for identifying students of a non-English background. These rules are updated regularly to reflect changes in both state and federal laws regarding programs for English Language Learners.

Please read this excerpt from the rules, which can be viewed online as well at: http://isbe.net/rules/archive/pdfs/228ARK.pdf

ILI SBE 23 ILLINOIS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE 228.15

SUBTITLE A SUBCHAPTER f

TITLE 23: EDUCATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

SUBTITLE A: EDUCATION

CHAPTER I: STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

SUBCHAPTER f: INSTRUCTION FOR SPECIFIC STUDENT POPULATIONS

PART 228

TRANSITIONAL BILINGUAL EDUCATION

 

Section 228.15 Identification of Eligible Students

a) Each school district shall administer a home language survey with respect to each student entering the district’s schools for the first time, for the purpose of identifying students of non-English background. The survey shall include at least the following questions, and the student shall be identified as having a non-English background if the answer to either question is yes:

1) Whether a language other than English is spoken in the student’s home and, if so, which language; and

2) Whether the student speaks a language other than English and, if so, which

language.

b) The home language survey shall be administered in English and, if feasible,

in the student’s home language.

c) The home language survey form shall provide spaces for the date and the signature of the student’s parent or legal guardian.

d) The completed home language survey form shall be placed into the student’s temporary record as defined in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 375 (Student Records).

e) The district shall, using the prescribed screening instrument, screen the English language proficiency of each student identified through the home language survey as having a non-English background. This assessment shall take place within 30 days after the student’s enrollment in the district, for the purpose of determining the student’s eligibility for bilingual education services and, if eligible, the appropriate placement for the student.

f) Each district shall ensure that any accommodations called for in the Individualized Education Programs of students with disabilities are afforded to those students in the administration of the screening instrument discussed in this Section and the language proficiency assessment prescribed under Section 228.25(c) of this Part.

g) The parent or guardian of any child resident in a school district who has not been identified as having limited English proficiency may request the district to determine whether the child should be considered for placement in a bilingual education program, and the school district shall make that determination upon request, using the process described in this Section. A determination contested by a parent or legal guardian may be appealed to the regional superintendent of schools for the region in  which the district is located, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-10 of the School  Code [105 ILCS 5/3-10].