How do I know if a student is an English Language learner or not?
The parents of all new students to a district must complete a Home Language Questionnaire as part of the registration process. Click here to download HLQs in various languages. Students who come from a home where a language other that English is spoken are then screened with the LAB-R test.
What does LEP stand for?
Limited English Proficient. This is the term used by the federal government.
What about ELL, ESL, and ESOL?
ELL stands for English Language Learner. This is the term currently more favored in NYS. ESL stands for English as a Second Language. This is the term commonly used to describe the instructional program for ELLs. ESOL stands for English to speakers of other languages. In NYS, teachers are certified in ESOL.
Can parents refuse ESL services for their children?
No. NYS requires that all identified ELLs receive ESL instruction. Parents may refuse to have their child participate in a bilingual education program, but do not have the option to withdraw their child from an ESL program.
Who can teach ESL?
Only teachers certified in ESOL can teach ESL classes. These teachers have completed extensive coursework in linguistics, sociolinguistics, methods of teaching a second language, teaching language through content, and foundations of bilingual and multi-cultural education. ESOL teachers in NYS are certified to teach grades PreK – 12.
How many ELL students do we need to have before we are required to hire a certified ESOL teacher?
One. All students who are eligible for ESL services must be instructed by an appropriately certified teacher.
Where can we find ESOL teachers?
ESOL certification programs are in place at the following universities in central NY: SUNY-Oswego, SUNY-Cortland, Utica College, LeMoyne College, and Nazareth College, University of Rochester. Please contact these institutions for information about recent graduates.
How many students may an ESL teacher have in her caseload?
There is no regulation limiting the number of students an ESL teacher has in her caseload. However, the teacher-student ratio must be small enough that students receive the mandated number of minutes of ESL instruction every week, grouped by proficiency level and grade level to the extent possible. BETAC advocates limiting instructional groups to no more than 12 students, with a total caseload not to exceed 30 students. Obviously, if many of these students need additional time because they have special needs or limited prior education, the caseload should be even smaller.
Can a Teaching Assistant provide direct instruction to ELLs?
That depends. A T.A. may provide supplementary instruction to a LEP/ELL student under the direct supervision of an ESOL-certified teacher. However, the certified ESOL teacher must provide direct instruction for the minimum number of units per week mandated by CR Part 154.
What is the LAB-R and where do I get it?
Additional sets may be borrowed (and copied)on an emergency basis from the BETAC office.
What is the NYSESLAT and when is it offered?
The NYSESLAT stands for New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test. It is a mandated state test for ELLs, and is administered only in May of each year. It is published by Pearson.
Where do we get the NYSESLAT?
Ordering instructions for the NYSESLAT are sent out each year, usually in March. All ordering is done electronically. Unlike the LAB-R, the NYSESLAT is a secure test and all copies must be returned to Pearson upon the completion of testing.
How are ELL students placed in ESL classes?
Students are placed in one of three levels according to their performance on the LAB-R or the NYSESLAT. The levels are Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. Students who score Proficient on the NYSESLAT no longer need ESL services and can be exited from the program.
Do ELLs in middle and high school have to take a foreign language?
This depends. ELLs may not have to take a foreign language class. Instead they can recieve credit for knowledge of their first language. Please click here for NYS guidelines for awarding LOTE credit to ELLs and scroll down to Special Situations.
Do ELLs in middle and high school have to take ELA in addition to ESL?
Only if they have scored advanced on either the LAB-R (if it is their first year here) or the NYSESLAT. Advanced ESOL students take one unit (180 min/week) of ESL and one unit of ELA. Beginning and Intermediate ELLs receive their ELA instruction strictly from their ESL classes and take no mainstream ELA.
Can ELLs be exempted from state tests?
ELLs may be exempted from the ELA during their first year of attending school in the U.S. After that, there are NO exemptions from state tests.
Can ELLs have accommodations on State tests?
Yes. Accommodations are available at the discretion of the principal. Students may have extended time, separate location, and use of a bilingual glossary. Listening passages on the ELA tests may be read three times. Content tests (not ELA tests) may be taken in the child’s first language if available, or with an oral interpreter, if not. For specific information about accommodations for state tests please refer to the School Administrators Manual on page 5 in most manuals or visit State Assessments & Testing Accommodations on our Web site for more information and to view PDF versions of test manuals. As of September 2008, accommodations on state tests can be exteneded to former LEP/ELL students for up to 2 years.
Is the ELA available in other languages?
No. The ELA is a test of English language arts, and therefore is not available in other languages. At this time, there are no state language arts tests in other languages.
May a student be exempted from the ELA Regents?
No. Students must pass the ELA Regents in order to earn a high school diploma.
What languages are the state content tests available in?
The elementary and intermediate Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies tests are available in Chinese, Haitian-Creole, and Spanish. Mathematics is also available in Korean and Russian. All Regents-level content tests are available in all five languages.
What are “transitional services” for former limited English proficient students?
CR Part 154 requires that schools ensure a one-year transition for former limited English proficient students into a mainstream English program. During this year, instructional and support services such as AIS must be provided to former LEP/ELLs when the monitoring of their progress indicates a need for intervention. Schools receiving NCLB Title I and Title III funds must monitor and provide transitional services to former LEP/ELLS for one year.
Can former ELLs continue to receive ESL services?
Former LEP/ELLs do not continue to generate state LEP aid. However, any services that would help the student continue to progress toward the New York State standards may be provided, including ESL instruction. As of September 2008, former LEP/ELLs may receive accommodations on state tests for up to 2 years.
Where do I get more information?
Call BETAC at (585) 352-2790.
This information courtesy of Mid-State BETAC
