Language, Culture and Equity

Parent Involvement

The Home Language Survey is a required procedure. It must be administered to the parents/guardians of all children enrolling in schools in a language the parent/guardian can understand. For example, it must be administered in the home language for parents/guardians who speak a language other than English or orally (transferred to written form by the administrator) for any non-literate parent of any language. Using the student to translate for a parent is not acceptable. The home language survey becomes part of the child’s “cum folder” in the district.

In most districts, the home language survey has become part of the intake process during registration. The home language survey may take many forms; however, there are three basic questions that are required:

1. Does you child speak a language other than English?
2. Has the child ever spoken a language other than English?
3. Is a language other than English spoken in your household?

Answering YES to any of these questions DOES NOT qualify a student as and English language learner. It does require, however, that the student participate in an approved language proficiency assessment.

In most cases, answering NO to all questions on the home language survey indicates that the students should be placed in mainstream instruction. However, answering NO to all of these questions DOES NOT necessarily exempt a student from being asked to take an approved language proficiency assessment. In cases where parents/guardians answer NO to all questions on the home language survey, but educators notice evidence of another language use, this student should still be tested.

• Home Language Surveys Samples
   
• Strengthening Parent Involvement: A Toolkit  This toolkit provides Colorado districts and schools with examples, clear descriptions, worksheets and resources to develop quality parent involvement policies and plans that align with the requirements of the law.

For LCE Unit web site technical assistance, please e-mail: Laura Blancas at blancas_l@cde.state.co.us

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