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Parent tells Grayslake D46 board dual‑language students lack structured English literacy instruction
Summary
At the Sept. 3 Grayslake District 46 school board meeting a parent urged the board to require systematic English literacy instruction (phonics, grammar, reading and writing) in the district's dual‑language program and asked for a public, measurable plan aligned with dual‑language standards and state and federal law.
A parent whose children attend the district's dual‑language program told the Grayslake District 46 Board of Education on Sept. 3 that students are not receiving systematic English literacy instruction. Ann Amelia Barca, identifying herself as “the parent of students in the dual language program at Avon Center School,” said English lessons in many classrooms are “scattered” and lack written plans, clear goals and alignment to language‑acquisition standards.
Barca said she moved to the district so her children could gain biliteracy and described a multi‑year lack of structured instruction: “Since 2020, my eldest has not had a single English literacy lesson with clear goals,” she said. She asked the board to require daily, structured English literacy instruction beginning in the early grades, to provide teacher training, to monitor progress with consistent assessment and to publish a written plan for parents.
The parent raised concerns about whether staff providing English time are appropriately endorsed in English as a Second Language (ESL) and whether instruction aligns with WIDA guidelines for English language development. Barca said specials such as art and physical education “may reinforce language, but they cannot replace structured English literacy instruction.”
Board President (name not specified in the transcript) acknowledged the comment and said the board “takes the public comments and is able to go back and investigate and follow‑up,” and that the board would follow up with Barca.
The statement was delivered during the public‑comment portion of the Sept. 3 board meeting; no formal board action or policy change was made during that agenda item.
