ENL Program

Photos of different countries/cultures

Our English as a New Language (ENL) program follows the amended New York State Commissioner’s Regulations (CR Part 154) concerning the education of English Language Learners (ELLs). ENL teachers provide instruction that addresses the New Language Arts Progressions standards (NLAP), which are aligned to the Next Generation ELA Standards. The ENL program is designed to help students whose first language is not English. The ENL program is designed to help students to demonstrate English proficiency as quickly as possible so they can participate fully in the academic, vocational, and social areas of their education. Certified ENL teachers deliver instruction in English and use research-based methodologies to convey information and accelerate learning.

Students are identified as ELLs through a home screening questionnaire and the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL). All ELLs must demonstrate progress or proficiency in English by taking the annual New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) in April-May. Based on their NYSITELL or NYSESLAT scores, ELLs are designated as Entering, Emerging, Transitioning, Expanding, or Commanding on the New Language Arts Progressions scale. The scores from these tests also determine the amount and type of ENL instruction ELLs must receive. Specifically, all ELL’s will be scheduled for one Integrated ENL/ELA class (co-taught by certified English and ENL teachers). Some ELLs may also require one or more Stand-Alone ENL classes or an Integrated ENL Content Area class (e.g. social studies) in addition to the Integrated ENL/ELA class. All Stand-Alone classes are taught by certified ENL teachers.

Through Title III grants, the district funds Project HAAP (Homework and Assessment Preparation), an after-school program that prepares students for local and state assessments, and Project Acclimation, which enables students to go on cultural trips.