New York: ELL Resources

As of the 2016-2017 school year, New York’s schools were home to more than 236,500 English language learners. As of the 2014-2015 school year, the most common five languages spoken by ELLs in New York were Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Bengali, and Russian. (U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
State ELL Resources
State Agency: New York State Education Department
ELL Website: Office of Bilingual Education and English as a New Language
ELL Regulations & Guidance
- New York State: ELL//Multilingual Learner Regulations and Compliance
- Commissioner's Regulations (CR) Part 154
- Title III Information
- Every Student Succeeds Act: ELL Information for New York State (ESSA)
- New York State Blueprint for ELL/Multilingual Learner Success
- The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB)
- ELL Parent Resources
- ELL/Multilingual Learner Educator Resources
- Bilingual Glossaries
ELL Identification
- Enrollment Procedures for Immigrant Students
- Students with Interrupted/Inconsistent Formal Education (SIFE)
- ELL Identification & Placement/Home Language Questionnaire
- Parent Notification Letters
- Information Regarding Recent Immigration-related Actions
ELP Standards & Assessment
- EngageNY: Bilingual Common Core Initiative
- NYSITELL/NYSESLAT: English Language Learner/Multilingual Learner Assessment & Testing Accommodations
- Learn more from the Office of State Assessment.
Additional Information
NCELA: Title III Information
Common Core State Standards: No.
See: New York State Next Generation Learning Standards
ESSA: New York State ESSA Plan
Statewide Organizations
New York State Association for Bilingual Education
The New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE) is a multilingual and multicultural association fostering the awareness and appreciation of bilingualism and biculturalism as an integral part of cultural pluralism in our society.
Regional Bilingual Educational Resource Networks
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBE-WL) is operating eight (8) Regional Bilingual Education - Resource Networks (RBE-RNs) (technical assistance support centers) in the State
New York City: Division of English Language Learners
The Department provides ELLs, former ELLs, immigrants, and their families with equity and access to an excellent education through a variety of ways.
New York adopted the Seal of Biliteracy in 2013. The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.
New York State Special Education Parent Centers
There are 14 Special Education Parent Centers across New York State. These centers will provide parents of children with disabilities with information and resources. Families can contact the Parent Center located nearest to them for assistance.
National Coalition for Asian American Children and Families
The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) is an advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Asian Pacific American children in New York City. CACF is the nation's only pan-Asian children's advocacy organization.
NYS TESOL is a non-profit group of professionals concerned with the education of English language learners at all levels of public and private education in New York State.
New York State United Teachers
Through a representative democratic structure, New York State United Teachers improves the professional, economic and personal lives of our members and their families, strengthens the institutions in which they work, and furthers the cause of social justice through the trade union movement. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association.
NYS Higher Education Services Corporation
Information on New York State financial aid programs, tips for choosing a school, career planning guides, and more.
Partnership for After School Education
The Partnership for After School Education (PASE), a New York City-focused organization, promotes and supports quality afterschool programs for youth, particularly those from underserved communities, enabling them to identify and reach their full potential.
Research and Reports
Note: Regulations change with time. These guidelines were compiled in January of 2012 and updated in January 2020. If you see something that needs updating, please send an e-mail to Colorín Colorado. For more detailed information regarding ELL guidelines and policies at the state and federal levels, please see the following:
References
National Center for Education Statistics. (2018.) English language learner (ELL) students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools, by state: Selected years, fall 2000 through fall 2016.
U.S. Department of Education. Our Nation’s English Learners. Most Common Non-English Languages Spoken by English Learners.