Multilingual Programs

District 15 is home to the 13th largest English Language Learner (ELL) population in Illinois. It educates more than 4,000 English Learners who speak more than 85 languages. 

Our programs include a robust Dual Language Program, focusing on enhancing English proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing while supporting native language mastery. This approach ensures students develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural competencies, preparing them to excel alongside their peers and become effective communicators in a diverse, global society.

English Learner Programs

District 15 welcomes and supports families from 85+ diverse language backgrounds. As required by the State of Illinois, District 15 provides programs to meet the linguistic and academic needs of students who meet the State’s criteria for ESL and/or bilingual services. These services are designed to accelerate English language acquisition and to leverage each child’s native language skills and home culture to help access grade level content and ensure academic growth.

Qualifying for EL Services

The Home Language Survey is required as part of the school registration process. If a language other than English is spoken by a child or is spoken in the home and is indicated by parents/guardians on the Home Language Survey, District 15 is obligated to screen the child for English language proficiency. 

The Illinois School Board of Education (ISBE) prescribes the assessment instrument and the qualifying scores for eligibility for services. For students entering kindergarten and the first semester of first grade, the WIDA (Measure of Developing English Language) Screener for Kindergarten assessment is administered. For students entering Grades K-8, the WIDA Screener is given.

Currently, the District’s top languages are Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, Japanese, Telugu, and Russian. Per state regulations, if an attendance center has 20 or more students who qualify for EL services and speak the same language, a district is mandated to establish a Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) program for those students. Further assessment determines what those services may look like in a district. Currently, D15 offers bilingual programs in accordance with state mandates in Spanish, Ukrainian, Japanese, Russian, Telugu, Tamil, Bulgarian, and Hindi.

District 15 services include:

• Spanish Dual Language (One-Way)
• Spanish Dual Language (Two-Way)
• Transitional Bilingual Education
• Transitional Program of Instruction

Parent & Student Resources