English Language Learners in Lake Bluff

Lake Bluff School District 65 is a linguistically diverse school district serving students from close to 30 languages through our English Learners Program.  There are two types of programs available to students learning English in District:  Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI) and the Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) program.

Eligibility

Students are identified through the Home Language Survey, a short set of questions given to every family as they enter the District.  Students who either have a family member who speak another language at home or who speak another language themselves are then screened for services no later than 30 days after the start of the school year.  These results are reported both to the parents and to the State of Illinois.

Students Requiring Services

Once identified, students are provided with English Learner (EL) services until they have reached proficiency on the ACCESS for EL exam.  There are two programs for students available at Lake Bluff Elementary and one program available for students at Lake Bluff Middle School.

Lake Bluff Elementary School - Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) Program 
(For students who speak Spanish)

At Lake Bluff Elementary School, there is currently a population of 20 or more students that speak Spanish.  As such, we offer a Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) program.  The TBE program is for non-native English speaking students who have difficulty with written or spoken English.  The program provides instruction in the student’s native language with transition into English.  The program helps students to succeed in academic subjects and learn English.  The classes count toward graduation requirements.

Instructional Goals

The Goal of the TBE/ELL Program is to help improve student academic achievement standards for grade promotion and to become proficient in English.

Program Components

Children who receive support from an English Language Learner teacher receive additional support with a focus on vocabulary instruction in the areas of reading, writing, and math along with specialized instruction in English.  Additionally, they receive instruction in Spanish to ensure adequate language and content acquisition during the school year.

Special Education Services

For students with disabilities requiring specialized services, language instruction meets the objectives of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). 

Lake Bluff Elementary School - Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI) Program  
(For students who speak a language other than Spanish)

In this program, students receive special assistance from a TPI staff member as they learn how to speak, listen, read and write in English.  The District offers opportunities for English Language Learners to meet the same standards for academic achievement that all children are
expected to attain.  The TPI teachers provides oral development, literacy and content area instruction based upon student assessment and classroom performance. Student contact hours depend upon the results of the assessment and the needs of the student.  Additionally, the TPI teacher is a part of the grade level team who facilitates the development of an instructional plan, recommends second language acquisition techniques and assists with the student’s transition to English fluency. The teacher also monitors students and their annual development of English language skills.

Lake Bluff Middle School - Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI) Program 
(For all students who speak a language other than English)

This program is very similar to the TPI program offered in the elementary school.  Intensity of services is determined by the EL team in conjunction with the teachers from that student’s team.

Program Exit

Students remain in the TPI or TBE until they have reached proficiency on the ACCESS for ELL assessment.