ESL Identification

In accordance with ESSA, New Jersey (NJ) has implemented a standardized identification procedure for students who are identified as multilingual learners (MLs). There is a standard, multi-step process for identification of students who may be MLs.

  1. Families complete the Home Language Survey in OnCourse Connect during the new student registration process. (sample HLS)
  2. The district registration liaison and an ESL teacher conducts a records review for any kindergarten to grade 12 student for whom the Home Language Survey indicates to continue to records review.
  3. An ESL teacher then administers an English Language Proficiency assessment (WIDA Screener or WIDA Model) to any students who are deemed eligible through the records review process. If the student scores below a 4.5 on the assessment, they are provided with ESL services or High-Intensity ESL depending on their first language (L1). In Pompton Lakes, students whose L1 is Spanish receive High-Intensity ESL.
  4. The district shall notify a parent or guardian their child has been identified as a multilingual learner. The notification shall:

Be in writing and dated:

Within 30 calendar days: For a student who enrolls at the start of the school year.

Within 14 calendar days: For a student who enrolls after the beginning of the school year.

Exit Criteria

Multilingual learners are assessed annually using WIDA ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA Alternate ACCESS for students who qualify for the DLM state assessment (N.J.A.C. 6A:15-1.9(b)). Federal requirements are to assess students in the four domains of Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Students with a disability which precludes assessment of a domain because no appropriate accommodations are available for the affected domain can be evaluated using the remaining domains.

Multilingual learners can demonstrate readiness to exit by: • First, achieving the Department established cut score, an overall composite of 4.5 or higher on ACCESS for ELLs or A3, Engaging on Alternate ACCESS; and • Second, having an English language observation form that indicates the student is ready to exit.

ESL Programming in Pompton Lakes

The Pompton Lakes School District strives to provide Mulitlingual Learners (MLs) whose home language is one other than English access to equity and excellence in education. If your child’s home language is a language other than English and your child is identified as an ML, then he or she will be provided with either a High-Intensity Program or English Language Services.

High-Intensity: This type of LIEP is for districts with 20 or more MLs of a single language group. Our district has a bilingual waiver for this program from the New Jersey Department of Education. MLs are provided at least two periods of instruction by a certified ESL teacher; one period is the standard ESL class, and the other period is an ESL tutorial or ESL reading class. We offer this program to students whose L1 is Spanish.

English Language Services: This type of LIEP is for school districts with fewer than 10 MLs in a single language group. Additional services are designed to improve English reading, writing, speaking and listening for MLs and is taught by either a certified elementary or ESL teacher.

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ESL Parent Advisory Committee Meeting, 5/29/25 at 7:00 PM

Please see the attached flyer (click here) for more information about the district's ESL Parent Advisory Committee Meeting scheduled for 5/29/25 at 7:00 pm at Lakeside Middle School. This meeting is open to all ESL parents/guardians. Hope to see you there!

Consulte el folleto adjunto (haga clic aquí) para obtener más información sobre la reunión del Comité Asesor de Padres de ESL del distrito, programada para el 29/5/25 a las 19:00 h en la Escuela Intermedia Lakeside. Esta reunión está abierta a todos los padres/tutores de ESL. ¡Esperamos verlos allí!