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English Language Learner (ELL)

If your child is an English Language Learner (ELL), please select one of the following to find the applicable promotion standards:

What is an English Language Learner (ELL)?


If your child has been enrolled in an English language school system for less than 2 years:

If your child is an English Language Learner (ELL), but has been enrolled in an English language school system for less than 2 years, then your child is exempt from promotion standards.

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If your child has been enrolled in an English language school system for between 2 and 3 years:

All ELL students who have been enrolled in an English language school system for less than 3 years are exempt from the English Language Arts (ELA) Assessment and Mathematics Assessment.> If your child is an English Language Learner (ELL), and has been enrolled in an English language school system for between 2 and 3 years, then your child's promotion is based upon a comprehensive assessment of his or her performance.

In order to be promoted from Third to Fourth Grade, your child must pass a comprehensive assessment that takes into account:

  • English Proficiency and ESL performance.
    • Whether your child has achieved a satisfactory level of proficiency in English in the NYS English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT).
    • Whether your child has either performed satisfactorily at beginning/intermediate ESL levels (also referred to as 'ESL literacy development') or has met the standards of advanced/transitional ESL levels (also referred to as 'Primary Literacy Standards').
  • Mathematics Performance.
    • Whether your child has either performed satisfactorily in mathematics, taught using ESL methodologies, or has met New York State learning standards, taught in your child's native language or through ESL methodologies.
    • Whether your child scored at a Proficiency Level 2 or above on a standardized mathematics test.
  • Attendance Attendance of 90% is expected.

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If your child has been enrolled in an English language school system for more than 3 years:

If your child is an English Language Learner (ELL), and has been enrolled in an English language school system for more than 3 years, then your child is held to the standard promotion criteria unless your child has otherwise been approved for an extension of services. Absent this approval, the promotion standards that will apply are the following:

  • Proficiency Level 2 on two separate, standardized tests, (1) an English Language Arts (ELA) assessment and (2) a Mathematics assessment, then your child will be promoted to the Fourth Grade.

June Review and Appeal Process: Even if your child scores at Proficiency Level 1 on one or both of these tests, then your child may still take advantage of a process known as the 'June Review and Appeal Process.' Every child who is in danger of being held back because he or she scored at Proficiency Level 1 on one of the standardized tests will automatically be reviewed.

  • If your child scores at Proficiency Level 1 on one the standardized tests and at Proficiency Level 1 or 2 on the other
    • Then your child's teacher should prepare a portfolio of your child's work by the end of the school year.
    • The teacher, after reviewing the portfolio, determines whether your child's scores on the standardized tests is an accurate reflection of their development.> Taking into account grades and attendance, the teacher will indicate whether he or she believes that your child is performing at the equivalent of Level 1, Level 2, or a high Level 2, and will forward the portfolio with his or her assessment to the principal.
    • The school's principal then reviews the portfolios. If the principal agrees with the teacher's assessment that the child is performing 'at the equivalent of a high level 2', he or she must recommend promotion.
    • If the principal recommends promotion, the recommendation is then reviewed by the Local Instructional Superintendent (LIS), who makes the final determination.
  • If your child scores at Proficiency Level 1 on one of the standardized tests, but at Proficiency Level 3 or higher on the other, then the process is the same, except that your child's portfolio must be reviewed by the school's principal, regardless of whether your child's teacher believes the test scores are accurate.
  • If your child is not promoted after the June Review process, and you disagree with that decision, you may appeal.

Click here to learn about what steps you can take if your child is being held back.

August Review Process: If your child is not promoted automatically or through the June Review Process, there is yet a third opportunity for promotion the 'August Review and Appeal Process.'

  • At this stage, your child is encourage to:
    • Attend the Summer Success Academy and
    • Retake the two standardized tests in August. Note that, if your child scored at Proficiency Level 2 on one of the tests, he or she will not be required to retake that particular test in August.> Note that, if your child scored at Proficiency Level 2 on one of the tests, he or she will not be required to retake that particular test in August.
  • If your child scores at Proficiency Level 2 on both the tests, then he or she will be promoted.
  • If your child scores below Proficiency Level 2 on one or both of the tests, then the principal must review the student's portfolio and any summer school work and teacher observations. If the principal believes the student is working 'at the equivalent of a Level 2', then he or she submits a recommendation for promotion to the Local
  • Instructional Superintendent (LIS), who makes the final determination.

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