The New York State Education Department’s Office of Bilingual Education and Foreign Studies has published their “Blueprint for English Language Learners (ELLs) Success.” This document contains 8 key principles that were “developed as a statewide framework aimed to clarify expectations for administrators, policymakers, and practitioners to prepare ELLs for success”. These principles include some excellent foundational ideas to be implemented, including “All teachers are teachers of English Language Learners, and need to plan accordingly”; “All school boards and district/school leaders are responsible for ensuring that the academic, linguistic, social, and emotional needs of ELLs are addressed”; and “Districts and schools recognize that bilingualism and biliteracy are assets, and provide opportunities for all students to earn a Seal of Biliteracy upon obtaining a high school diploma.”
This is encouraging news for ELs in New York. It will be interesting to see if other states follow suit.