Home Language Survey

The Home Language Survey (HLS) is a crucial, legally binding document that holds significant weight in a child's academic journey in Indiana. It is to be completed only once upon the child's first enrollment in an Indiana school. To avoid duplication, the HLS should not be included in general enrollment packets but provided only to students confirmed as first-time enrollees in Indiana schools. The HLS must be stored in the student's cumulative folder and transferred with the student if they change schools.

If a language other than English is indicated on any of the three required questions, that language must be recorded in local and state databases, and the student must be assessed with the appropriate English language proficiency screener (Kindergarten Screener or WIDA Screener). Only the Indiana HLS may be used to determine language assignment and potential English Learner (EL) status—HLS forms from other states are invalid.

When a student transfers, the original HLS must be sent from the previous school to the new school. If it is unavailable, the receiving school must document at least three attempts to retrieve it before administering a new HLS. The school administering the survey must ensure parents understand its purpose and questions, providing explanations in their preferred language.

The Indiana HLS includes three mandatory questions to determine the student's language background:

1. What is the native language of the student?
2. What language(s) is spoken most often by the student?
3. What language(s) is spoken by the student in the home?

The HLS is available in English and Spanish, though only the three required questions must be used to establish language assignment and EL status.

Digital Home Language Surveys:

As many school districts move to online registration and record keeping, the HLS may also be administered online instead of using a paper format. The Indiana HLS may only be administered once in a student’s academic career, so it should not be included in the general online registration packet; however, electronic registration may allow for the registrant to indicate that the student is enrolling for the first time in an Indiana school and trigger the HLS for completion. Even if administered online, the HLS must be signed by the parent or guardian (electronic signature is sufficient) with the completion date present. This electronic HLS must be accessible in the event of IDOE onsite monitoring or student record transfer. (IDOE EL Guidebook 2024-202)