Home Language Survey

In January of 2023, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) issued an updated Home Language Survey (HLS) to school systems. Although this revised HLS is not a mandatory requirement until January 2024, Atlanta Public Schools adopted the updated protocol of using the Multilingual Statement beginning in August 2023. The updated GaDOE HLS maintains the same three fundamental HLS questions that have been used in Georgia since 2017. Parents and guardians are required to complete the Home Language Survey as these are mandatory fields in the Online Registration (OLR) process. In accordance with the GADOE EL identification process, all three state-required Home Language Survey questions must be answered. These three survey questions are embedded in the online and paper enrollment forms and completed for all students enrolling in the district.  In instances where language assistance is needed, schools must contact APS Multilingual Services for interpretation assistance from trained, certified interpreters in completing OLR. 

1. Which language does your child best understand and speak?

2. Which language does your child most frequently speak at home?

3. Which language do adults in your home most frequently use when speaking with your child?

If a non-English language is listed for all three questions, the student is a potential English Learner and is administered the grade-level appropriate English Language Proficiency (ELP) screener (with accommodations when student has an identified or suspected disability).

If a non-English language(s) and English language for any of the three questions, teachers are to follow instructions in the Additional Information from Multilingual Families section.

Note: Infinite Campus data fields were updated to appropriately capture responses from the Home Language Survey and the Multilingual Statement.  See image on pages 25-26 for reference.