English as a New Language (ENL) programming is overseen by the New York State Education Department.  Students are identified as potential English Language Learners (ELLs) when their parent or guardian indicates that a language other than English is spoken at home during the enrollment process.  Potential ELLs are then interviewed by qualified personnel (either at the Board of Education or in the student's school) to confirm eligibility for the NYSITELL--the diagnostic exam that determines if a student is an ELL and must receive ENL services.  NYSED mandates that ELLs receive between 180 and 360 minutes of service from a certified ENL teacher each week.  This instruction may take place in their classrooms with their homeroom teacher (push-in) or in a separate, small-group space (pull-out), or some combination thereof.  

In April/May of each school year, ELLs take the NYSESLAT--the summative English acquisition exam that demonstrates their language learning progress.  Their scores on the Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing subtests determine which of the five ENL levels they fall under: Entering, Emerging, Transitioning, Expanding, or Commanding.  Once a student has reached the Commanding level, he or she has "passed" ENL and is no longer considered an ELL!  However, to help with the transition, he or she will still receive supportive services for 90 minutes each week and will continue to be entitled to testing modifications for an additional two years.

At Cesar E. Chavez School, the ENL Department services 60-80 ELLs each school year from grades K-8.  Our teaching models include push-in, pull-out, small group instruction, integrative co-taught instruction as well as several other best practices in the discipline.  Along with the Title I Reading Department, we conduct four annual Parent Workshops following Wednesday PTA meetings, on topics such as improving reading comprehension, fostering language acquisition, and supporting students in their NYS assessment preparation.  We are dedicated to advocating for our ELLs and their families and helping them to acquire the English and literacy skills they need to be successful lifelong learners.