Based on guidance from the Iowa Department of Education, until further notice, school districts are to provide the home language survey as a hard copy in its full form to new enrollees and maintain that paper copy in a student folder. The form is available in 23 languages and is located on www.TransAct.com, identified as Form IA.
If a language other than English is indicated through this home language survey the student must be given a screening to determine the need of Title III (ELL/ESL) services.
COVID UPDATE:
While schools are closed, they need to continue to ensure that newly enrolled students, who have a language other than English marked on the enrollment form, can have access to EL supports even though they are unable to formally screen them at this time. This process is considered provisional and is used for the purpose of determining the services and resources to be provided to students who are potentially EL during school closure.
Due to COVID and possible school closures, a Home Language Survey Follow-Up Interview for Provisional Identification of English Learners was developed. LINK HERE . School closures temporarily impede the administration of screening processes that require face-to-face interaction. The Home Language Survey (HLS) Follow-Up Questionnaire does not replace the formal identification process. The formal EL identification process is required once school resumes normal operations for any student who has been given a provisional status and is on the EL pending list.