Emergent Bilinguals

  • Students who have limited English proficiency are known as Emergent Bilingual students. The Plano Independent School District offers Bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to ensure all students receive the best instruction possible.

  • Speech Bubble with Hello written in multiple languages

How does the Home Language Survey (HLS) affect my child’s participation in an Emergent Bilingual Program?

At the time of enrollment in a Texas school, parents must complete a Home Language Survey (HLS) for each child. If parents indicate a language other than English is spoken in the home or by the student, then the student’s language will be assessed using Pre-LAS or LAS Links, to determine their English proficiency. It is important that the HLS is completed accurately so the student’s linguistic needs, if any, can be determined as soon as possible. Only the very first Texas HLS is used for placement purposes, and kept in your child’s educational record. 

What language assessment is used to determine Emergent Bilingual eligibility?

According to State and Federal law, each school district in Texas is required to assess the English language proficiency of any incoming student that has a language other than English on the HLS. The purpose of assessing English language proficiency is to identify those who would benefit from special instruction to succeed in a mainstream English-speaking classroom.

KINDERGARTEN

Students enrolling in Kindergarten will be administered PreLAS: The English Language Proficiency Assessment for Early Learners. PreLAS consists of an oral language component that uses graphics and stories based on early childhood literature and kindergarten readiness skills. PreLAS reports five performance levels ranging from Level 1 (Non English Speaker) to Level 5 (Fluent English Speaker). If a student receives a proficiency level below Level 5, they are considered limited in English proficiency, and will qualify for an Emergent Bilingual program

Grade 1

Students enrolling in first grade will be administered the listening and speaking portions of LAS Links. LAS Links is an authentic language proficiency assessment available in English and Spanish, that provides students, teachers, administrators and parents with key language proficiency data to assist with targeted language instruction. If a student receives a proficiency level of 1, 2 or 3 they are considered limited in their English proficiency and will qualify for an Emergent Bilingual program.

Grades 2 - 5

Students enrolling in grades 2-5 will be administered the complete LAS Links assessment- listening, speaking, reading and writing. LAS Links is an authentic language proficiency assessment available in English and Spanish, that provides students, teachers, administrators and parents with key language proficiency data to assist with targeted language instruction. If a student receives a proficiency level of 1, 2 or 3 they are considered limited in their English proficiency and will qualify for an Emergent Bilingual program.

More Frequently Asked Questions

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  • What if I don’t want my child to be identified as Emergent Bilingual and served in a language program?

    Parents have the right to deny their child’s participation in a language program at any time. Please contact an Emergent Bilingual Coach and Interventionist to complete a form indicating the parent’s request to deny services. Please note that denials cannot legally receive English language support in the classroom or on any local or state assessments. Also, the State of Texas requires every student who meets EB eligibility requirements to be linguistically assessed, using TELPAS, annually until all reclassification criteria are met.

  • What are the next steps after PreLas or LAS Links testing?

    A Plano ISD Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) will meet and review every student’s language proficiency scores and determine the appropriate program placement. An Emergent Bilingual Coach and Interventionist will send home a letter with the results of PreLas/LAS Links testing, and inform parents of the LPAC decision.

    Students who qualify for Emergent Bilingual services will be offered the appropriate language program. Parents will be asked to sign and return the letter to approve the placement of their child in the language program recommended by the LPAC. As soon as the letter of acceptance is received, language services will begin. 

    Students who do not qualify for Emergent Bilingual services will also receive a letter.  It is recommended that parents keep the letter at home with the student’s educational records. 

  • What if my child comes from another Texas school?

    Students who were previously enrolled in another Texas school can continue their language program at Hickey. Emergent Bilingual Coaches and Interventionists work closely with the campus registrar to obtain LPAC records, including the original HLS and LPAC records, from other schools, both in Texas and the United States. Once records are received, we will contact parents and notify them of their child’s linguistic program eligibility and their options.

  • Can a child who is in Gifted Education or Special Education also participate in an Emergent Bilingual program?

    Yes, students who receive services in other programs, such as Special Education, 504, Response to Intervention, and Gifted Education/Plano Academic and Creative Education (PACE) may also participate in a language program. The LPAC, in conjunction with other student services committees, meets to discuss and coordinate services based on the educational needs of your child.

  • All About TELPAS: Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System

    Students in grades K-12 that have been identified as an English Learner(EL)/Emergent Bilingual(EB) are required to be linguistically assessed in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, through the administration of a state test- TELPAS. This includes EBs whose parents have declined Bilingual or ESL program services. EBs will stop participating in TELPAS when the LPAC determines that they are proficient in the English language and have met exit criteria, as set by the TEA. Once a student has met the state’s exit criteria, they will no longer be identified as an EL/EB and will no longer participate in TELPAS. 

    TELPAS assessments are given each year in late February-March. The results are usually available by late July. TEA has a website with more information about the test, a parent checklist, as well as a spot to look up your child’s scores and how to understand them. In addition, all participating EBs will receive a letter with the results of their child’s assessment and the status of their EB program participation, at the beginning of the school year.

    Click here to access the TEA TELPAS website

    or

    visit: https://www.texasassessment.gov/telpas.html

  • How can my child exit or be reclassified from their language program?

    Students in an Emergent Bilingual program are eligible to reclassify at the end of 1st grade. To be eligible for reclassification or exiting a program, students must earn an Advanced High rating in all four domains of TELPAS- listening, speaking, reading and writing.

    In addition to Advanced High scores on TELPAS, 1st grade students must achieve 40th percentile or above on the IOWA Reading and Language Arts assessments. Your child’s ESL Teacher will work with the classroom teacher to find an appropriate date/time to assess your child during school hours. 2nd-5th grade Students must earn Approaches, Meets or Masters on the STAAR Reading assessment, with no linguistic accommodations provided by the LPAC Committee.

  • Frequently Used Acronyms

    Acronym

    What does it stand for?

    Definition

    ESL

    English as a Second Language

    ESL is an intensive English language instruction program provided by ESL certified teachers who are trained in effective second language acquisition methods. 

    EL

    English Learners

    A term used for students who are learning the English language, this includes both ESL and Bilingual programs. Emergent Bilingual and English learners may be used interchangeably. 

    EB

    Emergent Bilingual

    A term used for students who are learning the English language, this includes both ESL and Bilingual programs. Emergent Bilingual and English learners may be used interchangeably. 

    HLS

    Home Language Survey

    The first step in the process to identify an English learner. In Texas, schools are required to keep the very first HLS completed (including charter schools) in the student’s permanent record. 

    NES

    Non English Speaker

    A student who earns a NES score will qualify as an EB student and will be offered a language program. 

    LPAC

    Language Proficiency Assessment Committee

    The LPAC reviews the progress of

    English learners who participate in a bilingual or ESL program with parent or guardian

    approval, and who do not participate in a program due to denial of services by the parent or guardian.

    TEKS

    Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills 

    The current state standards, which outline what students are to learn in each course or grade.

    ELPS

    English Language Proficiency Standards

    Standards that outline the instruction school districts must provide to ELLs in order for them to have the full opportunity to learn English and to succeed academically. ELPS are to be implemented as an integral part of the instruction in each foundation and enrichment subject of the TEKS.

    TELPAS

    Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System

    State required assessment required for students in grades K-12 that have been identified as an English Learner.

    TEA

    Texas Education Agency

    The Texas Education Agency is the State agency that is responsible for guiding education in Texas.