Program Essential Elements
High Standards for all students. ENL students are held to the same high standards and expectations as all students. Curriculum, instruction, and assessment in all classrooms serving ENL students are aligned with New York State standards in the seven core areas.
Strong Literacy Development for ENL students. Literacy is developed through native language arts, English as a new language, and English language arts curricula aligned with the Common Core standards.
Qualified and Well-Trained Educators. There are sufficient numbers of well-prepared, competent, and appropriately certified teachers, administrators, and staff working with ENL students. The staff members participate in ongoing, long-term staff development with strong emphasis on NYSState learning standards. The single most critical element for successful learning is the quality and preparation of the teachers.
District/School-Based Leadership Committed to Educational Excellence and Equity. The superintendent promotes educational excellence for all students. The school leadership is highly articulate regarding curriculum and instructional classroom strategies for ENL students and is highly supportive of their bilingual/TESOL instructional staff. Flexibility and expansion of instructional time are supported.
Positive School Climate. The languages and cultures of all students are respected and valued throughout the school. TESOL teachers are an integral part of the instructional staff and they are provided with the support, materials, and resources needed to be successful.
Parent/Family and Community Involvement. Parents of ELLs are made to feel like important members of the school community and are meaningfully involved in the education of their children.
Assessment and Accountability. ENL students' performance and services are assessed on an ongoing basis at all levels using multiple, fair, and equitable measures. Assessment is conducted in the native language and in English as appropriate. The information obtained is used to determine student academic progress, and level of English language acquisition, and to refine services to ENLs and report outcomes.