Impact of Changes to NYSED Part 154 of Commissioner’s Regulations Annalisa Allegro, Coordinator Mid-West RBERN at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES

Acronyms RBERN – Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network ELL – English language learners (not LEP) ESOL or ESL – English to speakers of other languages or English as a second language SIFE – Students with interrupted formal education NYSITELL – NYS Identification Test for English Language Learners NYSESLAT – NYS English as a Second Language Achievement Test

Blueprint for ELL Success Guidance CR Part 154

Purpose of CR Part 154 To ensure that ELLs are provided with appropriate and equitable educational programs and services so they may attain the highest level of academic success and English language proficiency. Statutory Provision EL 3204 and 3602; Parts 80.9, 80.10, 100, 117, 200 and 154 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education; Chapter 827 of the Laws of 1982.

CR 154 Amended Sections Identification Process Initial and reentry SIFE status Instructional Program Parental Notification and Information Retention of Identification and Review Records Graduation Requirements Support and Transition Services Professional Development Exit Criteria District Planning/Reporting/Responsibilities CR 154 Amended Sections

Timeline Jul 9 Amendments published in NYS Register Public comment period for 45 days Sept 15-16 Amendments to Board of Regents for approval Oct 1 Amended Part 154 regulations go into effect 2014-15 Planning and optional implementation 2014-15 FAQ’s and Guidance on implementation Sept 2015 Full Implementation

Identification Process Additional step in process pg 5 For ELL SWD, determine whether disability is the determinant factor affecting ability to demonstrate proficiency in English Qualified staff required to implement process Identification of SIFE pg 5

Parental Notification & Information Meetings with parents of ELLs in addition to generally required meetings, meetings in preferred language of parents on their child’s academic content progress and needs pg 6

Challenge: Qualified translators or interpreters Identification process for ELLs Language proficiency team (LPT) for identification of ELLs with disabilities Orientation meetings Parent-teacher conferences Quarterly progress meetings

Professional Development Administrators and teachers For both, 15% of professional development hours specific to needs of ELLs, language acquisition, cultural competency pg 9 Bilingual and ESL teachers 50% of professional development hours specific to needs of ELLs pg 9

Instructional Program Program delivery Integrated and stand-alone ESL pg 7 Co-teaching or dual certification pg 7 Maximum grade span for instructional grouping is two contiguous grades pg 8

Challenge: Professional development on needs of ELLs Administrators ELL programs, regulations, culture Classroom and content teachers Research-based instruction for ELLs, culture, second language development, co-teaching Bilingual and ESL teachers Literacy development, content knowledge, co-teaching

Instructional Program Program delivery Integrated and stand-alone ESL pg 7 Co-teaching or dual certification pg 7 Maximum grade span for instructional grouping is two contiguous grades pg 8

Challenge: Staffing and scheduling Co-teaching of ESL and content teachers Limited grade span for instructional grouping

Exit and Transition Services Exit criteria options pg 8 Transitional supports for at least two years after exit pg 9

District Planning and Reporting Documentation & Record Keeping ELL parent meetings pg 6 Identification and placement process in student’s cum folder pg 6 Annual estimates in spring of ELL enrollment and languages of the students pg 7 Information provided to parents pg 9 Reports on measurements and tracking academic progress of ELLs as a sub group pg 9 Reports on programs for subpopulations of ELLs pg 10

Office of Bilingual Education and Foreign Language Studies (OBE-FLS) http://www.p12.nysed.gov/biling/bilinged/