Bill Text: NJ A5204 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires Commissioner of Education to develop guidance on identifying English language learners who have special needs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-01-08 - Passed by the Assembly (68-1-0) [A5204 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-A5204-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MARLENE CARIDE
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Requires Commissioner of Education to develop guidance on identifying English language learners who have special needs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning certain students who are English language learners and supplementing chapter 46 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Education shall develop guidance for school districts concerning the identification of English language learners in grades kindergarten through 12 who may also be eligible for special education programs and services.
b. The guidance developed by the commissioner shall include, but not be limited to, information on: recognizing and addressing potential challenges in the process of identifying English language learners who may require classification as a special education student; the use of multiple methods and measures in assessing the eligibility of a student who is an English language learner for special education programs and services; and the importance of professional development for and collaboration among teachers in the identification process, including teachers of English language learner programs, special education teachers, and general classroom teachers.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Commissioner of Education to develop guidance for school districts regarding the identification of English language learners in grades kindergarten through 12 who may also be eligible for special education programs and services.
The bill provides that the guidance will include, but not be limited to, information on the following: recognizing and addressing potential challenges in the process of identifying English language learners who may require classification as a special education student; the use of multiple methods and measures in assessing the eligibility of a student who is an English language learner for special education programs and services; and the importance of professional development for and collaboration among teachers in the identification process, including teachers of English language learner programs, special education teachers, and general classroom teachers.
