Hoover Schrum Memorial District 157 offers academic support to all students who qualify for English language development through a variety of ways. We believe that all students deserve equitable access to the academic content and work to ensure that English Language Learners (ELLs) of all proficiency levels receive the program type, differentiation and support that will enable them to become English proficient throughout their time in the district.

The state requires the district to collect a Home Language Survey for every new student. The home language survey indicates whether a language other than English is spoken in the home or the child's native language is a language other than English, which determines eligibility to participate in the screening process. Preschool students participate in the Pre-IPT Oral Assessment, while K-8 students utilize the WIDA Screener systems.

Depending on the student’s native language, as well as their scoring on the screener tool, students are placed in one of the following programs. Both programs focus on helping students gain stronger English skills in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Transitional Bilingual Program (Full or Part-time): Academic content and/or support is delivered in the child’s native language. Services are provided as both push-in or pull-out.

Transitional Program of Instruction: English language development support is provided by a licensed ELL Teacher in the form of either a push-in or pull-out academic group.

Once a student is identified as an ELL, they participate in the annual WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Assessment. Hoover-Schrum 157 follows state guidance when analyzing student scores to determine if the child will remain in the ELL Program the following year, or reclassify as an English proficient student and exit the program.