Welcome!

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Welcome to PS 145M's Bilingual Programs .   This guide is for parents/guardians of our English Language Learners ( ELLs ).   Our ELLs are students who have been identified as entitled to receive additional support services to develop proficiency in English.

This guide provides basic information about our school's bilingual instructional programs from which you may select the one that best matches your goals for your child.  

1. Dual Language Program

Our Dual Language Program successfully educates native English speakers and English language learners within the same classroom and fulfills the goals of full bilingualism, bi-literacy and multiculturalism for both groups.   Classes are linguistically integrated to promote meaningful language exchanges among students, with 50% of the participants coming from Spanish-speaking families, and 50% of them being English-native speakers.   Instruction is carried out in two languages.   This allows our students to learn a second language (Spanish or English), while acquiring solid literacy, math and content knowledge in both their native and second language.   Students will meet city and academic standards through a rigorous and enriched curriculum.   Students participating in the program should enter in the early grades to achieve optimum linguistic proficiency in both languages.   Highly qualified teachers, specialized in Dual Language instruction, plan to effectively guide students in meeting these goals.   In order to achieve its goals, the program actively seeks applications from English speaking candidates.

2.   Transitional Bilingual Program

In the Transitional Bilingual Education Program our students are taught in two languages: the language spoken at home and English.   In the beginning stages of English language acquisition, 60% of the academic instructional time generally takes place in the native language and 40% in English.   As children develop fluency in English, instructional time in English increases.    

Transitional Bilingual Program

Beginning Level            Intermediate Level

60% Native Language/                50% Native Language/

40% English                              50% English

Advanced Level

25% Native Language/75% English

•  The goal is that students attain English language proficiency within three years.

•  Throughout, teachers will be providing grade-level academic work in the student's native language so that the student maintains academic progress while developing English proficiency.

When children score above a state-designated level of proficiency in English on the “New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test” (NYSESLAT),   They will then be eligible to enter a monolingual instructional program.

3.   English as a Second Language Program (ESL)

There are two recommended ESL instructional program models available, as follows:

a.    Self-contained model :
An ESL-certified teacher provides instruction in literacy, math and the content areas using ESL methodologies to the same group of students for the entire day.

b.    Push-in/in class and Pullout ESL models :  
An ESL-certified teacher goes into the classroom or provides ESL instruction to small groups in a designated ESL room.   Several classes may be served during one day.

English as a Second Language

100% English

· Students receive academic subject area instruction in English through ESL methodology and instructional strategies.

  · Teachers will be incorporating ESL instruction and assisting students to achieve the state designated level of English proficiency for their grade.

Either program choice- Dual Language, Transitional Bilingual and English as a Second Language Program- offers your child a high-quality, academically rigorous instructional program, culminating in high school graduation and opening doors for opportunities in the future.

  Steps in the Program Identification, Selection and Placement Process:

a.    Parents/guardians of children who first enter the New York City public schools complete a “Home Language Identification Survey” (HLIS).

b. Children whose “Home Language Identification Survey” indicates that a language other than English is used in the home are administered an English proficiency test called the “Language Assessment Battery-Revised (LAB-R)” to determine if they are entitled to receive services to support their English language development. These children must also take a Spanish Language Assessment Battery   (Spanish LAB) to determine language dominance if the HLIS indicates that Spanish is used in the home.

c.     Parents/guardians are notified if a child is identified as an English Language Learner (ELL).   Also, they have the opportunity to attend an orientation session which will provide information and a “Program Assurance Survey and Program selection Form” indicating all the bilingual programs available citywide.

d.    Our school is responsible for identifying and placing students in appropriate instructional programs, in conjunction with parental choices.   However, if the selected program is not available in our school,   parents/guardians may select to transfer to another school.   Also, children will be placed in our school's Dual Language, Transitional Bilingual Program or in our English as a Second Language Program if they do not complete the above mentioned program selection form.  

Parents/guardians will be notified annually of their child's continued entitlement to support services to develop proficiency in English.

Where can parents/guardians get additional information?

A parent or guardian can:

•  contact their child's teacher, principal, parent coordinator or ESL specialist who can assist with their questions.

•  visit any Regional Learning Support Center, which is open in the evening and on weekends.   Ask your school's coordinator for the addresses and telephone numbers of the Centers.

•  visit their local regional or district office.

•  call the Chancellor's Parent Hotline at 718.482.3777 or visit the Department of Education website:   www.nycenet.edu

For more detailed information on how to apply for the P.S. 145 Dual Language Program, please call our Parent Coordinator Carlos Salamanca at (347) 563-5299.