Welcome to the District 54 community where everyone works to ensure student success for all. We look forward to meeting you.
In an effort to provide appropriate instruction for all students, the state of Illinois requires that any student who speaks a language other than English or lives in a home where a language other than English is spoken be given an English language screening assessment. The purpose of the assessment is to determine if the student qualifies for support as an English Learner.
When arriving at the Assessment Center, parents and students will be greeted by the Welcome Center Liaison and the Assessment Teacher. The teacher works individually with each student to administer the assessment.
Student take assessments that are appropriate for their age and grade level and that adhere to state guidelines.
- Students entering the first semester of kindergarten complete the Listening and Speaking portions of the WIDA Kindergarten Screener. Students who receive an overall oral proficiency score below 5.0 are considered English Learners and are eligible for support.
- Students entering the second semester of kindergarten or the first semester of first grade complete the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing portions of the WIDA Kindergarten Screener. Students who score below a 5.0 overall, or who have a 5.0 or higher overall with a literacy composite score lower than 4.2, are considered English Learners and are eligible for support.
- Students entering the second semester of first grade through eighth grade complete the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing portions of the WIDA Screener. Students who receive an overall composite below 5.0 are considered English Learners and are eligible for support.
The assessments are administered individually and take about 30 minutes for students entering kindergarten. Students entering first through eighth grade will need 60 to 90 minutes to complete the screening. The assessment teacher will explain the type of support that is available for the student.
