Frequently Asked Questions

1.) Why has my child been identified for ESOL?

The Georgia Department of Education provides the following guidelines for identifying students who may be identified as an English  Learner (EL):

• Parents/Guardians of students new to U.S schools complete a Home Language Survey (HLS). 

• Based on the Home Language Survey responses only* students are administered the WIDA Kindergarten Screener or WIDA Screener within 30 days of enrollment. 

• Families may indicate their home is multilingual and that their student speaks mostly English and/or another language equally. (These students will not be screened.) 

• Students who have been previously identified as English learners at any public school will continue to receive ESOL services until a 5.0 is achieved on the WIDA ACCESS test. It is a federal and state requirement that schools administer the WIDA ACCESS annually to all English Learners in Georgia. 

2.) How often does my child receive services?

• Students in grades K-3 receive 45 minutes of English instruction from an ESOL-certified teacher on a daily basis. 

• Students in grades 4-8 receive 50 minutes of English instruction from an ESOL-certified teacher on a daily basis. 

3.) Will my child always be an English learner?

• No. Once students meet the state-exit criteria on the ACCESS test, they no longer receive language support from the ESOL program.