The Liberty Central School District offers the English as a New Language program, known as ENL.

ENL is a type of educational program designed to teach English language skills to students whose native language is not English, focusing on helping them acquire the necessary English proficiency to participate fully in mainstream classrooms, often utilizing support from their native language when needed.  LCSD’s ENL program’s main focus is  language acquisition where the goal is to develop students’ English skills in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Instruction is tailored to individual needs and cultural backgrounds. Instruction is provided alongside academic subjects, and English stand alone classes as required with teachers using strategies to support comprehension in English.  The amount of ENL instruction time is determined by a screening process. This table shows the K-8 ENL instruction time requirements. This table shows the 9-12 ENL instruction time requirements.

This program is for students who are limited English proficient. According to Part 154 Amendment to Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, limited English proficient (LEP) students are identified as:

Pupils, who by reason of foreign birth or ancestry, speak a language other than English and:

• Understand and speak little or no English or
• Score below the statewide reference point on an English language assessment instrument.

Testing is required for all students enrolled an ENL program.

New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners is administered within 10 days of the student enrolling in school. Its purpose is to assess the English language level of new students whose home or primary language is other than English. The score on the NYSITELL (Entering, Emerging, Transitioning, Expanding, or Commanding) will determine if he or she is entitled to receive English as a New Language services, and if they are entitled to services, the amount of language support services. The results will also help teachers plan the best program for the student  based on his or her strengths and needs in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English.

New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test is administered to all students in the spring who receive ENL services. The purpose of the NYSESLAT is to annually assess the English language proficiency level of ELLs enrolled in grades K–12 in New York State schools. This test gives the state, schools, and teachers important information about the English language development of the student  and if the student will continue to receive services.

For more information on the screening and placement process, see the NYSED ELL Screening, Identification, Placement, Review and Exit Criteria here.

Proper planning is important for success of any program. New York State has established a Blueprint for English Language Learner/Multilanguage Learner Success

As part of the ENL program, students are offered accommodations including

• Time Extension
• Separate Location
• Bilingual Glossaries
• Can receive 55 pass on 2 Regents

They test out of the program when they score “commanding” or  score “expanding” on NYSESLAT  with a 3 or 4 on ELA test or 65 on Regents.

Resources

• The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) through federal funding at SUNY Oneonta provides 25 annual scholarships for eligible freshmen.
• The Hudson Valley Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network provides support and technical assistance to English language learner (ELL) educators in 144 public school districts across the lower- and mid-Hudson region.
• The Migrant Education Tutorial and Support Service’s Mid-Hudson Program Center provides education and resources to migrant families
• Catholic Charities of New York State offers several services for immigrants and refugees, with some services offered by the Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties chapter.
• The New York Immigration Coalition and the CUNY Initiative on Immigration and Education offer advocacy, support and resources for immigrant families