Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Q) Who qualifies for the ESL Program?

 

 A) Any student within the school/district may be classified as an ESL (English Speakers of other Languages) student if they fall within any of the following categories:

 

• A student who understands, speaks, reads and/or writes in his or her native language other than English. 
• A student who speaks fluently in their native language, but does not understand, speak, read or write in English.
• A student who does not speak fluently in their native language, but they know more words and phrases in their native language verse that in English.
• A student who has limited understanding of spoken English but does not speak English.
• A student who understands and speaks English on a limited basis but is unable to read, write or speak English correctly.

 

 Q) How is my child identified as a potential ESL student and what is the process for my child to receive services from the ESL Program?

 

A) Students are identified as possible ESL students based on a variety of factories that include but are not limited to:

 

• The home language survey that was filled out when you enrolled your child in school
• The registration packet that was filled out when you enrolled your child in school
• Test scores from another school/district/county/country with regards to Language Proficiency, or lack there of
• Teacher concerns regarding your childs ability to speak, read and/or write in English
• Grades/participation from a previous year that indicate an issue with Language and/or
• An IEP/504 Plan that indicates that there is a language barrierconversations with the student and/or the parent/guardian
• Conversations with the teacher, parent, student and/or registration. 

 

If there is a question or a concern demonstrated regarding your child’s ability to read, speak, listen and/or write in English, then your child will be referred to the ESL Program/Teacher. From that point, the ESL Teacher will determine if your child will be tested for the program or not. If your child qualifies for testing, then your child will be tested using the state's English Language Proficiency Test a.k.a. WIDA Screener/Model (grades 1-12) or WIDA's ACCESS State Test (depending on enrollment in the school district).

 

In the state of New Jersey, we use WIDA, which measures your child's ability to read, write, speak and listen in the English language. If your child did not meet the proficiency standard for the test taken, then your child will begin to receive services from the ESL Program. At that time, a letter will be sent home to the parent/guardian informing the parent of the child’s eligibility for the ESL Program in English and if possible, the native language as well. 

 

 

Q) How much time is allotted for parents to be notified that our child is an ESL child? 

 

A) According to the Department of Education ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act), schools only have 30 days to identify and notify parents/guardians of a students status as an English Language Learner. 

  

   

Q) My child is classified and English is not his/her native language, can my child still receive services from the ESL Program even though they may or may not be in a self-contained classroom?

 

A) Simple answer is YES! As long as your child qualifies for the ESL Program, your child can be placed in the ESL Program and will begin receiving services as soon as possible.

 

 

Q) English is not the home language, so how will the ESL teacher communicate with me- the parent/guardian regarding my child and/or their progress in school?

 

A) All communications must be sent home in English as required by law, but I will do my very best to translate the information and send it home in your native language if possible.

 

It needs to be noted that Middle Township Public Schools use Class DOJO; this app allows for translations of all communications provided by the teacher and the parent. 

 

 

Q) My child was receiving ESL services at their previous school before we transferred, will my child continue to receive services and will my child be retested into the program? What does the process look like?

 

A) Your child will continue to receive ESL services at your child’s new school provided there is documentation of entrance scores either WIDA or ACCESS test scores are acceptable. As long as there is current year documentation of WIDA or ACCESS scores then your child will not be tested again, but will simply be placed in the ESL program at school. If there are scores from another test (NOT WIDA OR ACCESS) or the scores are older than the present year, then your child will be retested and the results of the new test will determine if your child qualifies for the ESL program or not.

 

In 1st-12th grade, if a student scores a 4.5 or higher, then the child will not be entered into the program. Anything less and the child may be placed in the program. All test scores will be sent home along with a letter explaining your child's ESL status in the program.  

 

 

Q) What do I do once I received a letter about my child qualifying for ESL services?

 

A) Once you receive the letter explaining the services offered to your child, you have a decision to make. You can accept the services and do nothing so your child can receive services to enhance their English or you can reject the services in writing. If you reject the services, you can simply contact your schools ESL teacher and request a form to be sent to you in which you will fill out and send back to the school immediately. The letter will say that you as the parent are rejecting/refusing ESL services for your child. If you reject services your child WILL still be required to complete State Testing if it not specified in your rejection letter. Please know that even if you reject services and your reject testing, then your child will still be labeled as ESL according to State and Federal Guideline.  

 

 

Q) Although my child qualifies for ESL services, do I as the parent/guardian have the right to decline services? If so, can I request services at a later time for my child?

 

 A) According to the New Jersey Department of Education Learner Identification and Placement Guidance Document Dated 2023-2024, parents "have the right to decline placement of their child in whole or in part into a LIEP. Parents' right-to-decline notification is included in the parent notification letter. During the first three years of a ML's participation in a LIEP, the parent or guardian may only remove a ML at the end of the school year. If the parent or guardian wishes to remove the ML prior to the end of the school year, they must have approval". 

 

 

Q) How long will my child be in the ESL Program? When will my child be exited from the Program?

 

 A) The program length for each child is different and is based on their ability to speak and understand English fluently. Usually, a child is in the program for three to seven years. Each year, your child will be monitored in a variety of ways including a state mandated test that will determine your child's proficiency in the English Language. When your child becomes proficient in the English Language, your child will be exited from the program; at that time, a letter will be sent home to you explaining the decision to exit your child from the ESL Program. Contact information will be listed on the letter in the event you have any questions.  

 

Please keep in mind that the requirements to exit the ESL program are as followed: Your child must score a 4.5 or higher on ACCESS or on the WIDA Model (mid-year exit), must have the English Language Observation Form completed and must have Multiple Measures Form completed.

 

 

Q) If my child was NOT identified in their previous year and was attending the same school district as this year can my child be identified for the ESL Program? 

 

A) Simple answer is No! If your child has been in the same school district for more than 30 days, then your child can not be identified as an ELL/MLL Learner unless there are extreme circumstances for non-identification. Please note that this rule does not apply to current Pre-Kindergarten students in Middle Township, because Middle Township does not offer ESL services to Pre-K students. So if your current Kindergarten child attended preschool in Middle Township, then your child is eligible for testing in Kindergarten as long as the screening takes places in the first 30 days of the new school year. 

 

 

Q) What skills are taught in the ESL Program and what should be expected in the ESL classroom?

 

A) There are four skills in which all children in the ESL program are taught and they are Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.  It should be expected that all ESL teacher(s) will teach the social and academic language necessary for students to enter content classrooms and to be able to function in the classroom. In my classroom, you can expect your child to be taught the Spotlight on English Program that helps provide understanding of English, Reading, Writing, Math, Social Studies, Art, Music and Science.

 

 

Q) What standards are being taught in the ESL program?

 

 A) According to the New Jersey Department of Education, ESL programs have their own set of standards for each grade level and subject matter; however, Middle Township is dedicated to using the Student Learning Standards that correlate with the WIDA English Language Development Standards now currently being used state wide. 

 

 

Q) What state tests will my child take for entrance, annual assessment and exiting the program?

 

A) NJ uses the WIDA Consortium which includes W-APT (Kindergarten) WIDA Screener,  WIDA Model and ACCESS 2.0 in order to determine your childs language proficiency. 

 

 

Q) What is Push-In ESL Service and how does it affect my child?

 

 A) The ESL teacher will go into to your child's regular classroom and will work with your child in their classroom for an additional amount of time that exceeds their daily ESL classroom services.  Push-In ESL Service is provided to all grade levels on a daily to weekly basis whenever possible. 

 

 

Q) Who is certified to teach English Speakers of Other Languages? 

 

 A) According to the New Jersey Department of Education, a teacher who holds a certification in Bilingual Education or a teacher who holds a certification in English Speakers of Other Languages (Grades K-12). Plus, the certified teacher must complete seven to nine courses on WIDA Testing annual (State Standardized Test).

 

 

Q) Once my child is placed in the ESL program, do I have the right to remove the child from the program before the end of the school year? 

 

A) According to the New Jersey Department of Education, "During the first three years of a pupil’s participation in a program, the parent or guardian may only remove a pupil at the end of the school year. If the parent or guardian wishes to remove the pupil prior to the end of the school year, he/she must have the approval of the county superintendent of schools." 

 

 

Q) What does the New Jersey Department of Educations chart look like for ELL/MLL Identification and Exit Process? 

*The suggested 4.5 cut score represents one of several multiple exit criteria from a bilingual/ESL program. To assure the academic success of a student, in addition to the suggested score of 4.5 or higher, a student's exit from a program will be based on: 1) Classroom performance; 2) Student's reading level in English; 3) Judgment of teaching staff; and 4) Performance on achievement test in English.
**Exit Criteria: Parent notification, in an understandable language if possible. Score report of ELP test used.