What Parents Need to Know About: Bilingual Program

Who qualifies for the program?

Upon initial enrollment all students must have a Home Language Survey (HLS) completed in their student record. If the HLS indicates a language other than English, testing must be initiated to determine English proficiency. Students are administered an oral language proficiency test in English and Spanish called the IPT, which tests listening and speaking skills. Students who qualify for the bilingual program are students who speak Spanish at home and Spanish is the dominant language shown on the oral language proficiency test with limited English proficiency.  In addition to the IPT test, students in grades 2-12 are given the IOWA, an English norm-referenced standardized achievement test. Students scoring below the cut-off English proficiency on the IPT and below the 40th percentile on the English reading and language are classified as an English Learner. The Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) determines if the student qualifies for Bilingual or ESL and provides a written recommendation to the parents.

What services are provided by the program?

The Bilingual program is designed to meet the diverse needs of English Learners by utilizing Spanish and English to provide tailored instruction. The Bilingual program is designed to enable Spanish speaking students to become competent in literacy and academic skills in English through their native language. Bilingual students are first taught the same grade level academic concepts in Spanish and transition into English instruction.  Brenham ISD is an early exit transitional model which means students begin transitioning over to English starting in kindergarten in math and by fourth grade all subjects are taught in English. Bilingual is offered in prekindergarten through fourth grade with teachers who are trained and certified in working with students that speak both Spanish and English.

How do students exit the program?

Texas has specific grade level exit requirements. For students in STAAR tested grades, students must pass the Reading STAAR in English, receive Advanced High in TELPAS Writing or pass STAAR writing if taken, and are fluent in English on the listening and speaking test.  

For more information about screening:

Director of Special Programs

Brenham Independent School District

(979) 277-3700 | BrenhamISD.net