The goal of District 28’s EL Program is to enable children of other language backgrounds to speak, read, and write English so as to experience academic, social, and emotional success. The program includes the following objectives:

• Develop all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing - until mastery is achieved.
• Give support in content area classes.
• Learn about American culture, while respecting and preserving the home culture.
• Encourage participation in all school activities, such as athletics, music, clubs, and student government.
• Maintain the connection between home and school.
• Support parents’ understanding and participation in school activities.
• Foster an understanding and appreciation of all cultures within the school.

Home Language Survey

In accordance with the state law, the district shall administer a home language survey  with respect to each student in preschool, kindergarten or any of grades 1 through 8 who is entering the district's schools or any of the district's preschool programs for the first time, for the purpose of identifying students who have a language background other than English. The survey will be administered as part of the enrollment process or, for preschool programs, by the first day the student commences participation in the program. The survey shall include at least the following questions, and the student shall be identified as having a language background other than English if the answer to either question is yes: 1) Is a language other than English is spoken in the student's home and, if so, which language? and 2) Does the student speak a language other than English and, if so, which language?