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ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE; BILINGUAL/BICULTURAL
The Board of Education believes that English language proficiency is essential to educational development in the Morris School District. The Board shall provide appropriate programs of instruction for pupils who speak limited English and need instruction toward mastery of the English language. The goal of such programs is to assist pupils to achieve fluency in English while developing proficiency in core curriculum content. Each pupil identified as having the need for English language instruction shall participate in a program designed to meet his/her identified needs in accordance with New Jersey statute and administrative code. Parents/guardians of pupils of limited English speaking ability shall be notified by mail of the fact that their child has been identified as eligible for enrollment in a bilingual, ESL or English language services education program. This written notice shall include the information that the parents may choose to decline to enroll their child into the bilingual program. Communication with parents/guardians of pupils in these programs shall be in writing and in both English and, when feasible, in their primary speaking language. Reports of pupil progress shall be make to parents/guardians on the same schedule as reports of pupils in the regular program. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall direct development of an annual plan for ESL and/or bilingual education which is in compliance with state guidelines. The board will review and approve the plan at a public meeting. The board must adopt the courses of study for ESL and bilingual programs in the same manner in which it adopts the curriculum for regular program. In order to receive the state-endorsed high school diploma, Limited English Proficient (LEP) pupils must meet the district's graduation requirements. Pupils enrolled in district bilingual or ESL programs shall be assessed annually for exit from such programs, using multiple indicators described in the administrative code. Whenever it is determined that a pupil should exit from the bilingual program, parents/guardians shall be notified by mail. Parents/guardians may remove a pupil who is enrolled in a bilingual education program at any time; except that during the first three years of the pupil's participation in a bilingual education program, he/she may only be removed at the end of the school year. Removal prior to the end of the school year shall be approved by the county superintendent. If the county superintendent determines that the pupil should remain in the bilingual education program until the end of the school year the parents/guardians may appeal that decision to the commissioner of education/designee pursuant to law. The commissioner shall render a decision within 30 days of the filing of the appeal. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall collaborate with parents and staff to develop guidelines for a comprehensive ESL/bilingual program, including but not limited to:
Date: April 14, 1986 November 19, 2001 Approved Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A-35-15 Through 26 Legislative findings N.J.A.C. 6:8-3-5(a)7 Educational program (curriculum) N.J.A.C. 6:8-6.2(b)7 Evaluation and certification (mandated programs element) N.J.A.C. 6:31 Bilingual education New Jersey State Board Resolution, March 6, 1984, strengthens graduation requirements for limited English proficiency students New Jersey State Board Resolution, April 2, 1986, delays effect of new graduation requirements until spring of 1989. Cross References: 5124 Reporting to parents/guardians 6146 Graduation requirements/early graduation 6147 Standards of proficiency |
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