Home Language Survey

Since 2015, Section 3111(b)(2)(A) of ESEA/ESSA's Title III statute requires states to establish uniform statewide entrance and exit procedures for the identification of English learners (ELs) The first step in this process is to identify potential ELs for English language proficiency (ELP) screening. For this purpose, Georgia provides a required Home Language Survey (HLS) in 20 language versions for school systems to use during enrollment processes. Parents' responses on the HLS indicate whether the student is a potential English learner who must be administered the ELP screener.

The Home Language Survey questions include three student "language-related" questions as recommended by Bailey and Kelly (2013), and parent-friendly explanations. Please note that parents must first indicate their preferred language for school communication. Parents' preferred language is not used to identify the student's primary or home language. In addition to the three HLS questions used to identify the student's primary language, all multilingual families (reporting more than one home language) are asked to clarify their child's level of English proficiency by choosing one of five short statements.

In January 2023, GaDOE provided school systems with an updated HLS. This updated HLS is optional in 2023 and required in 2024. The updated GaDOE HLS retains the same three HLS questions used in Georgia since 2017 and adds an additional information section that only parents who report a multilingual home environment must complete.