ESL Services
FAQ for Administrators and Teachers

How can we identify LEP (limited English proficient) students?

What kind of services should we provide for LEP students?

How can we evaluate the progress of LEP students?

Where can I find more information about ESL (English as a Second Language) services?

Identifying LEP students

Who is eligible for ESL services? 

LEP Definition

“Pupils with limited English proficiency shall mean pupils who by reason of foreign birth or ancestry, speak a language other than English, and (1) either understand and speak little or no English; or (2) score below a state designated level of proficiency, on the Language Assessment Battery-Revised (LAB-R) or the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT); provided, however, that no pupil shall be served in a bilingual or English as a second language education program pursuant to this Part for a period in excess of three years from the date of enrollment in school unless such period is extended by the commissioner with respect to an individual pupil in accordance with the provisions of subdivision 2 of section 3204 of the Education Law.”   CR Part 154.2

How can we identify LEP students?

Click on the following link for a flowchart that summarizes the New York State LEP Identification Process: ID Process link.

Where can I find the Home Language Questionnaire?

Click on the following link to download copies of the Home Language Questionnaire in English and 12 more languages: HLQ link.

Providing ESL Services

How should ESL classes be organized and what is their focus?

Organization of Classes
Level is determined by results on LAB-R or NYSESLAT.

1 unit = 180 minutes/week

ESL Standards

The New York State Education Department Office of Bilingual Education (NYSED OBE), in its continued effort to raise achievement for all LEP/ELLs, has developed the New York State Learning Standards for English as a Second Language.  These standards are meant to serve as the foundation for ESL curriculum, instruction, and assessment for all LEP/ELLs in New York State, grades Pre-K through 12.

What services do BOCES ESL teachers provide?

Click on the following link for a chart that outlines the roles of BOCES ESL teachers:  Roles.

What other services might help LEP students?

Relationship of AIS to Programs Under CR Part 154 for LEP/ELL Students

 Academic intervention services for limited English proficient (LEP)/English language learners (ELL) must be supplementary and "in addition to" and must not replace the bilingual or freestanding ESL instructional program requirements under CR Part 154 services. AIS must be planned and implemented in coordination with the LEP student’s general education program.

Do ESL students have to earn LOTE credit?

Credit for Education/Residence in an other-than-English-speaking environment

Schools may award three to five Regents credits for documented school attendance and residence in an other-than-English-speaking environment, provided that the experience occurs at age 11 or older and that the residence resulted in direct contact with that environment and its people. At age 12, the school may award four credits under the above conditions, and at age 13, the school may award the maximum of five Regents credits. No more than five units of credit of LOTE may be awarded for school attendance in an other-than-English-speaking environment, regardless of the length of the experience.

No credit may be awarded for residence in a bilingual home within an English-speaking environment because the amount of foreign language learning that occurs in such situations cannot be determined adequately.

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/part100/pages/policyqalote.htm

Evaluating Student Progress

How can we evaluate the English proficiency of our LEP students?

Measuring Student Progress

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act requires that the English proficiency of all limited-English-proficient (LEP) students (as defined in Education Law §3204[2-a][3]) be measured annually.

 The New York State English as a Second Language Assessment (NYSESLAT) is used to measure student progress.  It is given to students each May. 

 

What about other state exams?

State Testing

ELA Testing  

NCLB requires that the English proficiency of all LEP students (as defined in Part 154 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education) be tested annually. All LEP students, regardless of grade, must take the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT).

Other Exams

All LEP students are required to participate in the State's Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies tests. In schools that are administering the Intermediate-Level Technology Education Test, all LEP students must also participate in this test. LEP students may take the mathematics, science, social studies, and technology education tests in English or an alternative language, whichever is better for the student. Each of these tests is provided in Chinese, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. The mathematics tests are also provided in Korean and Russian. These tests may also be translated orally into other languages for those LEP students whose first language is one for which a written translation is not available from the State Education Department.

  What accommodations are available?

Accommodations

These are the general accommodations available for LEP students.  Please check the test administration manual for exact details.

Time Extension: Schools may extend the test time for LEP students. Principals may use any reasonable extensions, such as "time and a half" (the required testing time plus one-half of that amount of time), in accordance with their best judgment about the needs of the LEP students. Principals should consult with each student's classroom teacher in making these determinations.  

Separate Location: Schools are encouraged to provide optimum testing environment and facilities for LEP students. They may administer State tests to LEP students individually or in small groups in a separate location.

Bilingual Dictionaries and Glossaries: LEP students may use bilingual dictionaries and glossaries when taking these examinations. The bilingual dictionaries and glossaries may provide only direct translations of words. Bilingual dictionaries or glossaries that provide definitions or explanations are not permitted.

Simultaneous Use of English and Alternative Language Editions: For these examinations, LEP students may use both an English and an alternative language edition of the test simultaneously. However, they should be carefully instructed to record all of their responses in only one of the two editions. The alternative language edition used by the student should be so indicated on the student's answer document.

Oral Translation for Lower Incidence Languages: Schools may provide LEP students with an oral translation of these examinations when there is no translated edition provided by the Department. All translations must be oral, direct translations of the English editions; written translations are not allowed. No clarifications or explanations may be provided. The translator should receive a copy of the English edition of the test one hour prior to administration. The Department's Office of Bilingual Education and the Bilingual Education Technical Assistance Centers (BETACs) can assist schools in locating suitable translators.

Writing Responses in the Native Language: LEP students making use of alternative language editions or of oral translations of these examinations may write their responses to the open-ended questions in their native language. Scoring the tests is the responsibility of the school. However, the Department's Office of Bilingual Education and the Bilingual Education Technical Assistance Centers can assist schools in locating persons who can translate the students' responses into English to facilitate scoring.

Professional Resources

Commissioner’s Regulations Part 154
Commissioner’s Regulations Part 117
NYS Office of Bilingual Education
Bilingual Education and Technical Assistance Center, Questar III

For more information on any of these programs please contact:
Peggy Sharkey
WSWHE BOCES
Language and Culture Resource Center
27 Gick Road
Saratoga Springs, NY  12866
(518) 581-3581

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