Bilingual/Dual Language & ESL

When a student enrolls in a Texas public or charter school for the first time, they must complete a Home Language Survey. The survey has three questions:

• Which languages are used at home?
• Which languages are used by the child at home?
• If the child had a previous home setting, which languages were used?

If any of these questions have a language other than English, the child must take a language proficiency assessment. The campus will contact you to schedule a language testing appointment. The child’s campus will communicate results and share next steps. 

If the language proficiency assessment shows the student is English proficient, they will be recommended for either a Dual Language (Bilingual) or English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom setting.

• Dual language: This is Denton ISD’s bilingual program. This will be recommended for students whose language other than English is Spanish.
• English as a Second Language: This will be recommended for students whose other language is not Spanish.

In addition to the regular state assessments, all students identified as Emergent Bilingual students, including parent denials, are required to take the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) annually until they can reclassify.  

At the end of the school year, a district may reclassify an emergent bilingual (EB) student/English Learner (EL) as English proficient if the student can participate equally in an English instructional program with no second language acquisition support. 
There are three requirements:

• TELPAS: Advanced High Composite Score
• STAAR: Approaches grade level or higher on English Reading
• Teacher subjective evaluation form: Satisfactory

What happens after reclassification?

• A dual language student no longer requires the EB code; however, they may remain in the program.
• An ESL student no longer requires the EB code or instruction from an ESL-certified teacher.
• Both dual language and ESL students who reclassify are monitored for two years.

Please visit the Texas Education Agency for a more detailed explanation of Identification & Placement, program services, reclassification, and exit, as well as student monitoring.