Once a student formally exits the Multilingual Learner (ML) program, they enter a mandatory four-year monitoring and reporting period.
Active Monitoring (Years 1 & 2 / F1 & F2): During the first two years post-exit, ESL teachers are required to actively monitor the student's academic progress via report cards and progress reports. If any academic anomalies or sudden declines appear, the ESL teacher must immediately consult with the general education content teacher and the student to determine if language-based support is necessary.
Reporting Only (Years 3 & 4 / F3 & F4): Years three and four are designated strictly for NJSLEDS state reporting purposes. Active academic monitoring by the ESL department is no longer required during this phase.
Post-exit progress must be tracked in the designated Monitoring Log. The log is structured by monitoring year (Year 1/F1 through Year 4/F4) and contains designated columns for your required quarterly reviews (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4). A specific "Flagged for Re-Entry" column must be utilized to escalate serious academic concerns.
If a former ML student demonstrates significant academic struggle directly related to English language proficiency, they may be re-entered into the ML program, provided strict protocols are followed.
Eligible Window: Re-entry may only be considered between 6 months and 2 years following the student's initial exit date.
Required Evidence: You must secure a formally documented observation from a general education teacher (delivering instruction in English) explicitly stating that the student is struggling because of English language proficiency, rather than general content comprehension or other factors.
Mandatory Retesting: The student must be retested. You are required to administer a different form of the ELP assessment than the one originally used to exit the student.
Parent Notification: If the student's classification changes back to active ML status, the ESL teacher must officially notify the family. The parents retain their legal right to opt-out. A copy of this official notification must be permanently filed in the student's ML folder.
Every active ML and former ML must have a dedicated physical/digital file. Maintaining the integrity of these files is a critical compliance mandate. Files must be securely stored in a Google Drive folder and shared with the school director, ADA and the department director.
The following documentation must be present, accurate, and up-to-date in every student's file:
Home Language Survey
Records Review documentation
WIDA Screener scores
ACCESS for ELLs scores (historical and current)
Notification of Initial ESL Placement
Annual Continuation Notifications
Reclassification/Exit Notifications (if applicable)
Annual Opt-Out Waivers (if applicable)
English Language Observation Forms
Growth, goal, and trajectory records
English learning success plans
Progress monitoring documents
Relevant documentation from prior schools or districts
Salient family communications regarding ML status, progress, or services