Identification and Assessment of ELLs

Identification of ELLs (English Language Learners)


During the registration  process, if a language other than English is spoken at home, an English as a Second Language Teacher will screen your child. The teacher will use the WIDA Model test to see if he/she is eligible to receive services. After completion of the Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing, The Test Administrator (ESL) will use the instructions on the scoring sheet to calculate the students overall Proficiency Level. If the student is eligible for services, the parents will be notified about their child's eligibility and the services that will be provided. The child will be placed in an ESL class that is appropriate to his/her grade level and English language proficiency after parents consent to placement in the program.


All students who are eligible to receive services will be notified no later that 30 (thirty) days of being screened. Parents will be notified of the score, method of instruction, ESL teacher and placement location. 

Assessment

ACCESS for ELLS

All English Language Learners are tested once each year using the ACCESS for ELLs test to measure English Language Proficiency as well as to determine placement for the following year. All students also participate in the state assessment process with recommended accommodations. As soon as students meet the multiple exit criteria they will be placed in the general education program. It is expected that all students will advance each year and that all students will exit within three full years of participation in the program. Please note, per federal program requirements, any student that is found eligible to receive ESL services will participate in the ACCESS for ELLs test even if services have been refused. 

For more information about the ACCESS for ELLs test, please click here.

NJSLA

All ELLs in grades 3-8 will participate in the NJSLA test and will be given extended time, until the end of the day, to complete all subjects on the test. In addition, all ELLs are entitled to and will be given a word-for-word dictionary in their native language. 

NJSLA ELA

For grades 3 through 8 newly arrived students attending U.S. schools on or after June 1 of the prior school year, are not required to participate in the English Language Arts Literacy (ELA/L) portion of the assessment. However, they must participate in the NJSLA ELA/L assessments with the appropriate ELL test accommodations only if they need to take the assessments to meet graduation requirements. 

For more information

Please refer to District Policy 6142.2 for additional information 

New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Bilingual/ESL Education

Related Files:

Initial Notification Letter that Child Qualifies for ESL Program

Recommendation Letter that Child Continues in the ESL Program 

Notification Letter that Child Successfully Completed ESL