Steve Knope
Director of Multilingual Services & Family Engagement
Community High School District 155 offers Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) and Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI) to support English language development in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. EL classroom teachers provide instruction to students based on their English language proficiency level, with a gradual release of support as students increase proficiency.
EL teachers utilize the WIDA English Language Development Standards in their instructional planning to support language development.
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Standard 1: Language for Social and Instructional Purposes
English learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.
Standard 2: Language for Language Arts
English learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of language arts.
Standard 3: Language for Mathematics
English learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of math.
Standard 4: Language for Science
English learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of science.
Standard 5: Language for Social Studies
English learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of social studies.
Parents in the state of Illinois are required to complete a Home Language Survey (HLS) when enrolling in the district for the first time. If a parent indicates on the Home Language Survey that there is another language other than English spoken in the home, students are given the WIDA Screener assessment to determine their English language proficiency level and eligibility for EL services.
If a student qualifies for EL services, parents are notified of the placement recommendation by mail. The student will be provided with language support based on their English language proficiency level, literacy needs, and teacher recommendations.
If there are questions about the assessment results or the services offered, parents are encouraged to contact the Director of Multilingual Services & Family Engagement at the student’s building.
Contact: Steve Knope, Director of Multilingual Services | email: sknope@d155.org
Students enrolling in the district are assessed with the WIDA Screener to help identify whether a student is a candidate for EL services. A student who achieves a 5.0 or above in the oral language composite (speaking and listening) AND a 4.2 literacy composite (reading and writing) is considered English proficient.
EL students are assessed each year to determine their progress toward English language proficiency with the ACCESS Assessment. This computer-based, adaptive test measures a student's proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. ACCESS is a required assessment in the state of Illinois for all students eligible for EL services and is administered in January and February.
Parents will receive the results of the assessment along with information stating whether the student continues to be eligible for English language services. Students who achieve an overall composite score of at least 4.8 will exit the EL program. After exiting, the Director of Multilingual Services will continue to consult with classroom teachers and monitor the student's progress for a period of two years.
At any time, a parent may decline EL services. Parents must submit this request in writing to the Director of Multilingual Services & Family Engagement. Per the Illinois State Board of Education, students who are eligible for service, but whose parents refuse, must continue to take ACCESS annually until they earn a 4.8 overall composite score.
If you are the parent or legal guardian of an English learner, you are invited to participate in District 155’s Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC). The committee consists of parents, district staff, and other interested community members.
The contact person for additional information about BPAC is the Director of Multilingual Services, Steve Knope, email: sknope@d155.org or call (815) 459-2505 ext. 2278.
The 2026-27 BPAC meetings will be held at Crystal Lake Central High School. Please enter through the main entrance.
BPAC Responsibilities include:
We take a holistic view and look at what grade a student has completed in their home country, as well as credits earned, and the student’s age.
A credit is how we measure completed courses for students. Every class a student takes each semester counts for 0.5 credits, except for Physical Education and Consumer Education, which count for 0.25 credits. Students earn credits for grades A, B, C, and D, and no credit for grades of F.
In order to graduate, D155 students must obtain 20.25 credit units.
|
Computer Education |
0.5 units |
|
English |
4.0 units |
|
Social Science (1) |
2.0 units |
|
Science |
2.0 units |
|
Mathematics (2) |
3.0 units |
|
Elective Courses (3) |
6.0 units |
|
Consumer Education (4) |
0.25 units |
|
Classroom Driver Education |
0.25 units |
|
Physical Education & Health |
2.25 units |
|
Career Experiences Program (5) |
0.0 units |
|
TOTAL |
20.25 units |
(1) At least one year of Social Science must be United States History. Students are also required to fulfill the global education requirement during their freshman or sophomore year and one semester of Civics. Courses that meet the Civics requirement will be noted in the Social Science section of the course catalog.
(2) One credit of Mathematics must be in Algebra I, and one credit must be a course that includes Geometry content.
(3) One credit of electives must be in art, foreign language, music, or vocational education.
(4) Courses that fulfill the consumer education credit will be noted in the course catalog.
(5) The Career Experiences Program (CEP) requirement will be met by successful completion of all tasks assigned in the required seminar/advisory class each year. This graduation requirement begins with the class of 2025.
GPA stands for grade point average, which is an average of your student’s final semester grades each semester. The GPA is calculated each semester and is an average of your student’s coursework over four years. The GPA is one of the things that colleges will look at for admission into their school.
A counselor will be assigned upon registration. Students are supported by their counselor, social worker, psychologist, dean, and nurse.
Call the attendance office ahead of time and have your student email his/her teachers.
Cary-Grove Attendance Line: (847) 474-6100
Crystal Lake Central Attendance Line: (815) 455-8507
Crystal Lake South Attendance Line: (815) 893-5270
Prairie Ridge Attendance Line: (815) 893-5600
The amount of homework varies depending on the teacher and class. Students can receive help through various tutoring opportunities during study hall or in the tutoring center at their school. You can check with your school for additional resources.
As a parent, you can advocate for your child’s education and request services they need. This guide will help you understand and protect your child’s rights in school.
