ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) is a secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment given to Kindergarten through 12th graders who have been identified as English language learners (ELLs). It is given annually in WIDA Consortium member states to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English.

Our district only provides native language instruction for students who qualify based on their English language proficiency (per Illinois School Code). Every student who indicates 'yes' for either of the first two questions on the Home Language Survey will need to be screened with the ACCESS screener. This is an English language proficiency "screener" test given to incoming students who may be designated as English language learners. It assists educators with programmatic placement decisions such as identification and placement of ELs. The ACCESS screener is only one component of WIDA's comprehensive assessment system. Depending on the results of the screener, your child may qualify for One-Way Dual Language and/or ELD (English Language Development) services or no services at all.

English Language Development (formerly known as ESL) refers to the use or student of English by speakers or other native languages. A child who qualifies for Dual Language have their ELD time embedded within the Dual language classroom curriculum. A child who qualifies for ELD services only, would receive ELD services from an ESL endorsed teacher. This ELD teacher may provide these services within the classroom or by pulling out into a small group setting. 

Research shows it takes 3-5 years for most ELs to meet English languge proficiency. The state will exit your child when they score an ACCESS composite score of 4.8.  However, if your child is in the Dual Language program, they will remain in the program even after reaching exit criteria with the expectation of becoming bilingual, biliterate, bicultural.  

McHenry school district 15 offers three types of programs:

Transitional Bilingual Education - The Transitional Bilingual Program (TBE) is for non-native English speaking students who have difficulty with written or spoken English. The program provides support to help students succeed in academic subjects in their native language. They also have an English class everyday where they learn social and academic English. Sheltered English instruction is also part of the TBE program. This program model is offered at the middle schools. 

Transitional Program of Instruction - The Transitional Program of Instruction is for non-native English speaking students who have difficulty with written and/or spoken English. The program provides support to help student’s succeed in academic subjects and learn English.

One-Way Dual Language - The One-Way Dual Language program (DL) is for native Spanish speakers who have difficulty with written or spoken English. The program provides support to help students success in academic subjects in both English and Spanish. The goal of the One-Way DL program is for students to leave our district biliterate, bilingual, and bicultural. 

Per Illinois School Code, the school district must ensure that every child who is identified as needing English language support, reaches English proficiency in an appropriate amount of time. In order to monitor and reach this goal all students need to take the ACCESS test until they reach proficiency.

As a parent feel free to call your child’s teacher and set up times to volunteer. You are also welcome to become a member of the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC). 

School districts that have Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) Programs are required to establish a Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee. The committee should be comprised of parents of children in the TBE program and other interested community members. Two-thirds of the committee members must be parents of children in the bilingual education program. The committee meets six times a year and participates in the planning, operation, and evaluation of the program. There are at least four main events during the year. All parents of students in the Dual Language program are invited to become members of the Committee.

As a parent you could help your child acquire English by exposing them to English, encouraging your child to practice English, reading to your child in English. Another manner to help foster English is to take part in the events around the community, and use the resources that the community offers.