Wilmette is a community known to celebrate a culturally diverse community. As part of this diversity, the community is home to many families speaking numerous languages. In fact, Wilmette schools serve students from over twenty different language backgrounds. To assist students who are not native Speakers, Wilmette Public Schools has established The English as a Second Language Program (ESL). The ESL program is supported by a grant from the Illinois State Board of Education.

To qualify for ESL service, students who have a second language background are given the IPT Oral Language Proficiency Test (grades 1-8) and the IPT Reading and Writing Tests (grades 2-8). The scores from these tests are used to assist in designating individual student's level of English Proficiency. Students may fall into one of three levels of English Proficiency: Non-English Proficient, Limited English Proficient, and Competent. Once level of English proficiency is determined, ESL services can be provided to children who qualify.

Students who qualify in the Non-English Proficient category receive daily instruction utilizing lessons from the Ballard and Tighe Language Acquisition Program. Pull-out services are made available within each school.

For students who qualify as Limited English Proficient, service is provided in the Advanced Program. The Advanced Program offers direct support for thirty or more minutes per day with an ESL teacher or paraprofessional as school schedules allow. The support portion of the program utilizes lessons that are a combination of the Ballard and Tighe Language Acquisition Program and material from the classroom curriculum. As part of each child's program, the ESL paraprofessional also collaborates with the classroom needs of each student.

For students that have been designated as Competent English speakers, a direct service program is not provided. However, these students are put on a watch list. The purpose of the watch list is to monitor students to make sure they are able to handle the curriculum. Consultation services are provided to classroom teachers when needed. Most students participating in the watch list are just finishing an ESL program. However, even children who are new to District 39 may qualify.

Student assessment is a regular part of the program. Students are regularly evaluated to monitor progress within the curriculum. This type of assessment helps teachers individualized instruction during the school year. In addition, the District provides annual assessments. The annual assessment assists in determining the best placement for the next school year. For example, a student may move, as a result of their test results, from the Advanced Program to the watch list.

The State Board of Education also requires all students to participate in the State Assessment known as the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). However, students enrolled in the ESL program are exempt from the ISAT for three years. This gives students ample time to acquire English proficiency. During this exempt period ESL students take another state test known as the Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English (IMAGE). This test is a measure of how second language speakers are progressing in their acquisition of English. At the end of three years, all ESL students are required to take the ISAT tests with the rest of the school population.

For any questions regarding the ESL program, please contact Lynn Sweatt at Romona Schoo, 847-256-0211, Ext. 6485.