Chapter 89 – Adaptations for Special Populations
Policy
1. What is the goal of bilingual education (89.1201 b) and ESL programs? (89.1201c)
The goal of the bilingual education programs is to help English learners acquire skills in listening,
speaking, reading and writing within the English language. This will be done through the
development of literacy and academic skills. They will also eventually gain a mastery in other
subjects such as social studies, mathematics, and science. The ESL programs have the same goal
except they will do this through the integrated use of second language acquisition methods.
Required Bilingual Education and English Language programs
2. When should a bilingual program be provided? (89.1205a)
As long as the school district has 20 or more English learners enrolled in the same grade level throughout
the district, they will be offered a bilingual education program.
3. How are districts who are not required to offer bilingual education to serve their English
Language Learners? (89.1205 d)
A school district will provide an ESL program using one of these two models: Transitional
bilingual/early exit and dual language immersion/one-way.
Exceptions and Waivers
4. What kind of exceptions can a district who cannot provide a bilingual education request and by
what date? (89.1207 (a) (1) a - e)
The school district must provide a statement by November 1 of why there are not enough
certified teachers to offer the program
5. If a district does not have the staff to provide an ESL program, what kind of waiver must they
apply for and what must they do to be in compliance? (89.1207 (b) (1) (a – f)
A waiver of the certification requirements for each teacher who will provide instruction in ESL
for English learners. The approval of the waiver will only be valid during the school year that it is
granted for.
Program Content and Design
6. Describe the different types of bilingual and ESL programs the state requires districts to
implement. (89.1210 (d) (1-4); 89.1210 (g) (1 – 2)
The ESL/content-based program model is an English acquisition program that serves students
identified as English learners. The goal is for English learners to attain full proficiency in English.
The ESL/pull-out program model is for English leaners to attain full proficiency in English in
order to participate equitably in school.
Home Language Survey
7. What is a Home Language Survey, how many times should it be administered, and what is it’s
purpose? (89.1220) (a – d)
School districts administer only one home language survey to each new student enrolling for the
first time. It can be administered as many times as necessary. The survey is used to see what
language is spoken in a child’s home most of the time, and what language the child speaks the
majority of the time.
Language Proficiency Assessment Committee
8. What is an LPAC, how many LPAC’s should a district have and what kind of responsibilities is
appropriated to the LPAC? (89.1220) (a – l) See attached document entitled “Site Decision
Making Leadership.”
The LPAC is a local board policy appointed by the school district. Three members are required,
but other trained members may be added to the committee. They shall designate the language
proficiency level of each English learner, designate the level of academic achievement of each
English learner, designate, subject to parental approval, the initial instructional placement of each
English learner, facilitate the participation of English learners in other special programs, and
reclassify students as English proficient in accordance of the specific criteria.
Testing and Classification of Students
9. What types of assessment measures must be given to each student in Grades 2 – 12 whose Home
Language Survey shows a language other than English in the home? When should the testing
occur? (89.1225) (a) (1 & 2), (g)
The assessments will include a language proficiency test in the primary language, a Spanish
version for those who speak Spanish, and the district will administer a test using informal oral
language for a student’s language that is not available.
Parental Authority and Responsibility
10. When and what kind of notification must a parent of an English Language Learner be given, and
is parental approval required? (89.1240) (a – c)
The parent will be provided information describing the bilingual education or ESL program
recommended, its benefits to the student, and its being an integral part of the school program. The
placement of their child in the program must be approved in writing by the parent or legal guardian.
Staffing and Staff Development
11. How are school districts to staff Bilingual and ESL programs? (89.1245) (a, b, e, f)
The school district is only allowed to assign certified teachers. They cannot employ a sufficient
number of teachers, including those who meet the requirements of subsection (a) and part-time
teachers. They also encourage the districts to cooperate with universities and colleges to provide
training for the teachers.
Required Summer School Programs
12. How are state supplemental funds to be used? (89.1250)
Funding for the summer school program shall be on a unit basis in such an allocation system to ensure a
pupil/teacher ratio of no more than 18 to one.
