ELL Exit Process (English Language Learner Exit) (www.nj.gov/education/title3/index.shtml
Students must demonstrate readiness to exit based on a department-established standard on the English language proficiency assessment and criteria included in the English Language Observation Form. This process is mandatory for all school districts/charter schools starting in July of 2019 and cannot be altered.
Exit Criteria
Step 1 NJ Standard on English Language Proficiency (ELP)
Test 4.5 on ACCESS or MODEL A3 on Alternate ACCESS
Step 2 English Language Observation Form *
Multiple Indicators (e.g. classroom performance, the student’s reading level in English, judgment of the teaching staff member(s), and performance on achievement tests).
*The English Language Observation Form verifies that students can successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English and the student has the opportunity to participate fully in society, where the language is English. As required by the New Jersey Bilingual Administrative Code, N.J.A.C. 6A:15-1.10, the form takes classroom performance, the student’s reading level in English, judgment of the teaching staff member(s), and performance on achievement tests into account.
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1. Exit Criteria on WIDA Tests - A student can be eligible for exit with an ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA MODEL composite proficiency level of 4.5 or higher. The ACCESS for ELLs test must be administered yearly according to New Jersey timelines and New Jersey District Test Coordinator Training protocols. The WIDA MODEL can be used for mid-year exit determinations.
2. Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Cut Score - Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is an English language proficiency assessment for ELLs in grades 1–12 who have significant intellectual disabilities and take the alternate content assessment. The Alternate ACCESS for ELLs must be administered yearly according to New Jersey timelines. Please see the guidelines for participation criteria to find out more information. A student can be eligible for exit with an Alternate ACCESS proficiency level of A3 Engaging or higher. Currently, there is no Alternate ACCESS for grade Kindergarten.
3. Exit Criteria - The student took the ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA MODEL and scored a composite proficiency level of 4.5 or higher; or the student took the Alternate ACCESS and scored a composite proficiency level of A3 Engaging or higher.
Using Multiple Criteria for Program Entry and Exit
Districts must continue to use multiple indicators, as specified in code [N.J.A.C. 6A:15-1.3(c) and 6A:15-1.10(b)] to determine which students need English as a Second Language (ESL) and/or bilingual program support and which students can function independently in a monolingual English classroom. These indicators must be used for both identification of ELLs and for determining readiness to exit from bilingual/ESL/ELS program services.
ACCESS for ELLS is the required language proficiency test that must be administered annually every spring. ACCESS or WIDA MODEL may be used as one indicator to exit a student from a language assistance program along with Multiple Measures from a variety of sources.
The regulation mandating the use of multiple criteria for identifying and exiting students from language assistance programs services is still current.