English as a New Language

Statewide

Specific standardized assessments are used to identify the level and proficiency of ELLs.

NYSITELL

(New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners)

The State Education Department mandates that each student entering the district, whose family indicates on the Home Language Survey that another language is spoken at home, must be given the NYSITELL to determine the level of English proficiency (Entering, Emerging, Transitioning, Expanding, Commanding).

NYSESLAT

Each Spring in compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) all ELLs statewide are administered the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test BROKEN LINK (NYSESLAT) to measure their progress toward meeting NYS ENL standards. This test measures a student’s proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

New York State Content Area Assessments

Assessments in Math, Science and Social Studies are given to students regardless of their ELL status. Students have the option of taking certain exams in either English or their native language depending on factors outlined by NYS.

District-wide Assessments

These assessments are conducted on both a formal and informal basis. All students, regardless of ELL status, are administered district-mandated assessments.

ENL Blueprint (PDF)

ENL Progressions (PDF)

Targets of Measurement (TOMS)

Performance Level Descriptions

NYSESLAT Resources

As per NYSED, Bilingual Education and English as a New Language:

The Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages at the New York State Education Department strives to provide students whose home languages are other than English access to equity and excellence in education. If your child’s home language is other than English and he or she is learning, or on the way to learning English, your child is becoming bilingual. Congratulations! Bilingual children have unique assets and advantages and have great opportunities ahead. The New York State Education Department strongly values bilingualism and strives to provide the best setting for your child to develop his or her full language potential.

English Language Learner/Multilingual Learner Resources for Parents

NYSITELL and NYSESLAT Parent Guides

Parent Orientation video

Parent Portal: Instructions in Spanish