Last modified: October 25, 2023

Home Language Survey

Home Language Survey

The Home Language Survey (HLS) is included on the school registration form and is completed online by the parent/guardian when a student is registered. The HLS does not identify the student as an English learner. Rather, its purpose is to identify those students who may be potentially designated as English learners so that each student can be assessed in the domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

When a parent or guardian responds to any of the following HLS questions listing a language other than English, the EL Supervisor at the school will work with the parent and Title III Department to determine if s/he should be assessed to determine if s/he qualifies for English Language support services.

1. What is the primary language used in the home, regardless of the language spoken by the student?
2. What is the language most often spoken by the student?
3. What is the language that the student first acquired?
4.  What language do you prefer for school-to-home information?
5. Does your family come from a refugee background?

Purposes of the Home Language Survey:

• Identifies a student whose home language is not English; and,
• Identifies a student who may be tested on the sills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in English because a language other than english is spoken in the home.
• The English proficiency assessment determines if your student needs language support services along with the regular educational program.
• Your child is entitled to these language support services as a civil right.

School Responsibilities:

• At registration, the questions on the Home Language Survey are required to be answered. The school registrar should ensure parents understand the questions ….
• Students must be tested for services within the first 30 days of the school year or within two week sof entry into the school, if after the first 30 days