English Language Learners
English Learners (ELs) in the South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC) form a dynamic and diverse group, comprising approximately 13% of the district's total student population of over 13,700 students. These learners come from households where more than 77 languages are spoken. Spanish is the most prevalent, followed by languages such as Arabic, Vietnamese, and French, highlighting the rich cultural diversity of South Bend, shaped by immigrant, refugee, and multilingual communities.
To meet the needs of its 1760 EL students, SBCSC provides robust programs focused on both language development and academic success. Services include English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, dual language immersion, sheltered instruction, and structured immersion content classes that allow ELs to engage meaningfully in mainstream education. Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) guide each student’s journey, offering targeted accommodations based on their annual English proficiency assessments through WIDA ACCESS.
The district also addresses barriers such as academic gaps and social integration through tutoring, bilingual home/school liaisons, and family outreach initiatives, ensuring that EL students and their families feel supported. SBCSC’s commitment to equity aligns with state WIDA standards and federal ESSA guidelines, ensuring resources and opportunities for success. This dedication reflects South Bend's mission to provide an inclusive and thriving educational environment for every learner.
Home Language Survey
The Home Language Survey (HLS) is a questionnaire given to parents or guardians to help educators identify which students are potential ELs and who will require assessment of their English Language Proficiency (ELP) to determine whether they are eligible for language assistance services.
WIDA ACCESS
ACCESS for ELs monitors student progress in English Language Proficiency on a yearly basis and serves as just one of the many criteria that determines whether English Learners have attained an English Language Proficiency level that will allow them to meaningfully participate in English language classroom instruction.
Individual Learning Plan
Students identified as English learners (ELs) are legally entitled to receive English Language Development instruction to promote their growth towards English Proficiency. An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) must be created for each EL enrolled in a school and must be implemented with fidelity by all teachers & staff working with the student.
monitoring
All school districts in the State of Indiana must monitor the academic progress of former English Learners for at least two years to ensure they are meaningfully participating in the district’s educational program in a manner that is comparable to their native English speaking peers and comparable to other English Learners who exited at the same time.