IDENTIFYING ENGLISH LEARNERS

The Enrollment Process

California Education Code, Section 52164.1 (a) contains legal requirements that direct schools to determine the language(s) spoken in the home of each student. A Home Language Questionnaire (HLQ) must be completed by a parent or legal guardian upon initial registration of TK-12 students. 

New students enrolling in California schools for the first time may include, but are not limited to, migrant, immigrant, out of state transfers, special education, alternative education, transitional kindergarten (TK), and kindergarten students.

When a child is within the Lancaster School District zone, the parent or guardian will need to begin the enrollment process online. A key component of the enrollment process is the Home Language Questionnaire.

Home Language Questionnaire (HLQ)

The Home Language Questionnaire (HLQ) is a survey given to parents or guardians that helps us identify, in a timely manner, which students are potential English learners and will require assessment of their English language proficiency (ELP) to determine whether they are eligible for language assistance services.

Prior to completing the HLQ, parents receive an explanation regarding the purpose and uses of the HLQ, as well as the possibility that their child may be given an assessment to measure their English language proficiency level. The state-approved ELP assessment for identification is the Initial ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California). 

In particular, we make clear that the HLQ is used solely to offer appropriate educational services, not for determining legal status or for immigration purposes. Parents and guardians are also informed that, even if their child is identified as an EL, they may decline ELD services. Each school office has staff members available to provide information about the HLQ, assessment process, and instructional program options offered to English learners.

The HLQ consists of the following four questions:

1.       Which language did your child learn when he/she first began to talk?

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

3.      Which language do you (the parents or guardians) most frequently use when speaking with your child?

4. Which language is most often spoken by adults in the home? (parents, guardians, grandparents, or any other adults)

The answers provided for each HLQ question are used to determine a student’s primary language status:

• English Only (EO)

• Possible English Learner – To Be Determined (TBD)

Initial Identification Flowchart

TBD (To Be Determined)

State law requires a school district to assess the English language proficiency (ELP) of every student that is new to California with a primary language other than English with the purpose of providing specific language services and support. 

IFEP (Initial Fluent English Proficient)

A student is considered Initially Fluent English Proficient (IFEP) by obtaining a Performance Level of IFEP on the Initial ELPAC. Once determined, IFEP students require no further ELPAC testing and are placed in the school’s mainstream program. 

EL (English Learner)

A student who scores Intermediate or below on the Initial ELPAC are classified English Learners (EL) and placed in the Multilingual Learner program. English learners must receive ELD services and be re-assessed annually using the Summative ELPAC until they meet reclassification requirements. 

Parents have the right to opt their student out of ELD services at any time by meeting with the school site Principal. However, the student will remain classified as EL and continue to be assessed every year until they meet reclassification requirements.