Identifying EL Students
Embedded Files
Home Language Survey
A Home Language Survey is mandatory for all new enrollments.
Per the State of Oklahoma, a new survey must be completed by the parent or guardian upon
student enrollment in a new LEA or if returning to a former LEA after an absence of more than one year.
From the OSDE English Learner Identification and Placement Guidance Document: "A current, valid Home Language Survey (HLS) is required for every student enrolled in a public school in the State of Oklahoma. The primary purpose of the HLS is to identify those students who may qualify as English Learners and be eligible to receive supplemental EL services and accommodations. A student should not to be provided with, or denied access to, supplemental EL services or accommodations based solely on responses provided on a submitted Home Language Survey.
Guidelines
Regardless of EL status, an LEA must have a current a Home Language Survey (HLS) on file in either digital or paper format for every student.
A survey completed for the 2016-2017 year or after may move forward with the student as long as the student is continually served by the LEA to which the survey was initially submitted.
If the student leaves and then returns to an LEA after more than one year, a new survey must be completed.
A survey cannot follow a student to a new LEA; a new survey must be completed.
Important Note:
For the 2021-2022 school year, the HLS was updated and re-formatted to ensure greater accuracy in the Bilingual Audit process. As such, LEAs are required to use the current version of the HLS for all new enrollments beginning in the 2021-2022 school year.
For more information and/or for a copy of the current HLS, please refer to the EL & Bilingual Identification Guidance located on the OSDE website English Language Proficiency page."
OK-ID-Placement-Guidance.pdfThe OKCPS HLS is accessed through the Online Enrollment Process
A paper copy should not be needed, but please do maintain copies of older paper Home Language Surveys
in students' files. You can scan them and save them in a digital folder if they are taking up needed space.
HOME LANGUAGE SURVEY 2021-22 update (1)_0.pdfScreening
Upon identifying that a language other than English is spoken at home, coordinators must verify whether or not the student has been previously screened and review the student's assessment history.
If the student is from another WIDA district or state, please request scores and verify previous assessment history. Be sure to check EduSkills for scores for new students, even newcomer students, in case they were previously assessed in an Oklahoma district. Previous scores for transfer students can be added for the student in EduSkills, such as students transferring into OKCPS from other WIDA states.
If the student has never been screened, or if the student is transferring in from a non-WIDA state and therefore has not been screened by an appropriate WIDA assessment, the student must be screened within the mandated timelines per the date of their enrollment.
Screening & Identification Timelines
If a student enrolls within the first 30 calendar days of the academic year, the student must be screened within the first 30 calendar days.
If the student is enrolled after the first 30 days, they must be screened within 14 calendar days from their date of enrollment.
Native Language Codes
Language Codes OK.pdf
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