California Education Code, Section 52164.1 (a) contains legal requirements which direct schools to determine the language(s) spoken in the home of each student. The HLS form is designed to assist with the identification process.

Home Language Survey (HLS) explained

Each local educational agency using funds under this part (Title I), or Title III, to provide a language instruction educational program as determined under Title III shall, not later than 30 days after the beginning of the school year, inform parents of an English learner identified for participation or participating in such a program (20 United States Code Section 6312).

Initial notification letters are sent to inform parents of their child's identification as an English learner or initially fluent-English proficient student, upon entering a California school for the first time. Annual notification letters are sent to inform parents of their child's continued identification as an English learner in a California school. Both letters provide all the required information to meet Federal Title I or Title III requirements.

California Education Code (EC) Section 48985 states that when 15 percent or more of the students enrolled in a public school speak a single primary language other than English, a school is required to send home parental notifications in both English and the non-English language.

Parent Brochure for English Learners in Elementary

Parent Brochure for English Learners in Middle and High School