English Language Learners
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The Department of Education is dedicated to serving the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs)—students who speak a language other than English at home and score below proficient on English assessments when they enter our school system. The Office of English Language Learners provides ELLs, former ELLs, immigrants, and their families with equity and access to an excellent education. By providing rigorous professional development to teachers, staff, and leaders, promoting parental involvement, improving material resources, and creating targeted solutions for different ELL populations, we create a rigorous learning environment that focuses on academic achievement, language development, and cross-cultural support.

In New York City, we provide bilingual programs (Transitional Bilingual Education and Dual Language) that strengthen students’ native language development and content knowledge while they build their social and academic English skills. We also provide English as a Second Language (ESL) programs that use strategies for English language development with native language support so that students develop language and content knowledge in English. For more information on ELL programs, click here and for more detailed information on initiatives in the Office of English Language Learners that target specific areas of need among ELLs, click here.