English Language Learner (ELL) Identification and Placement for Recently Arrived Children and Youth

PLEASE NOTE: Per SED Announcement sent on August 30, 2024, this flexibility is no longer available and the "Attestation in Support of Waiver of the ELL Identification and Placement Timeline for Recently Arrived Children and Youth" is no longer available on the NYSED Business Portal. All LEA's are required to complete complete the identification of all ELLs by administering the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL) and placing eligible students in an appropriate language acquisition program within ten (10) days of a student’s initial enrollment. LEAs that wish to seek an individual waiver to the ELL Identification and Placement Timeline should send a written request to obewl@nysed.gov. The request should include data on the number of students anticipated to require identification, the number of qualified staff available to conduct the identification, and the length of time for which the waiver is requested.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) announced information on available flexibility to the English Language Learner (ELL) Identification and Placement Timeline for districts that have been impacted by the influx of asylum seekers and other recently arrived students. This flexibility will extend the timeline (i.e., the deadline for administering the NYSITELL) from 10 school days to 30 school days. 

In order to claim this flexibility, LEAs must submit a form affirming the arrival of these students in their communities and providing information about these students and their previous ELL population. Superintendents and charter school leaders can access this form through the SED Business Portal.  

Click here to access and download this memorandum.

Further questions regarding LEA eligibility or any other aspect of the ELL identification timeline waiver can be directed to our office at obewl@nysed.gov.