New Jersey: English Language Learner (ELL) Resources

New Jersey schools were home to more than 61,000 English Language Learners (ELLs), as of the 2012-2013 school year.  That indicates a 7% increase from the 2002-2003 school year, as per the Migration Policy Institute in 2015. Currently, the most common five languages spoken by ELLs in New Jersey are Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian, and Korean.

State of New Jersey ELL Resources

State Agency: New Jersey Department of Education

ELL Website: Bureau of Bilingual/ESL Education

ELL Identification

Home Language Survey:  New Jersey provides a sample Home Language Survey in English and Spanish on its website.

Placement Exam: WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT)

ELP Standards & Assessment

ELP Standards: WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards

ELP Assessment: WIDA-ACCESS for ELLs

ELL Instruction

Instruction Models: New Jersey offers an overview of different instruction models on its state website.

Statewide Standards-Based Assessment

Assessment: New Jersey Assessment Website

Additional Information

NCELA: Title III Information

WIDA: New Jersey Contact Information

Common Core: Yes

Statewide Resources

Lectura Books

Lectura Books is the go-to source for bilingual books and culturally relevant family reading programs.

The Latino Literacy Project

The Latino Family Literacy Project is known for its award-winning parent involvement programs for Spanish speaking parents.

New Jersey Education Association

New Jersey Education Association is a National Education Association State Affiliate that regularly lobbies legislators for the resources schools need, campaigns for higher professional standards for the teaching profession, and files legal actions to protect academic freedon and the rights of school employees.

New Jersey Federation of Teachers

The New Jersey Federation of Teachers promotes statewide organization and unionization of teachers and all other personnel engaged in education in order to carry out the program and policies of the NJSFT and the American Federation of Teachers.

New Jersey TESOL/New Jersey Bilingual Educators

NJTESOL/NJBE is an association of educators and administrators dedicated to the instruction English language learners at all levels of public and private education. The organization’s interests include classroom practices, research, curriculum development, funding, employment and socio-political concerns.