Crucial Notice: Bronx Arts & Science Charter School strictly follows New York’s Commissioner’s Regulations Part 154 and the NYSED assessment calendar. These requirements are distinct from the New Jersey campuses. Do not apply New Jersey timelines, cut scores, or forms to Bronx students, or vice versa.
August 31, 2026: First day of school begins. All returning English Language Learners (ELL) and former ELLs must already be programmed for their required minutes on this day. The Bronx schedule starts a week later than the NJ campuses, so deadlines will land on different dates.
September 14, 2026 (10 school days): Identification must be completely finalized and documented for all first-day enrollees. This includes the Home Language Questionnaire, individual interview, screener eligibility, screener administration, parent notification, orientation, and placement.
September 14, 2026 (Within first two weeks): Continuing ELLs and newly exited former ELLs must be sent entitlement or exit letters in the parent’s preferred language.
September 29, 2026 (20 school days): Identification must be completed for students with an IEP. A Language Proficiency Team must convene to determine screener eligibility. Disability is never grounds for screening exemption.
October 14, 2026 (30 school days): Students with Interrupted/Inconsistent Formal Education (SIFE) status must be determined and recorded. Administer the Oral Interview Questionnaire for grades 3–9 if a gap is suspected, followed by the Multilingual Literacy screener if a two-year gap is indicated.
October 30, 2026: The first marking period closes (41 days). Review ELL and former-ELL progress against report card grades.
November 5, 2026 (45 school days): The re-identification appeal window closes. Parents, students 18 or older, or teachers with parent approval may request the process be run a second time.
November 13, 2026: Early dismissal for parent conferences. This does not satisfy the annual individual ELL parent meeting required by CR Part 154.
January 22, 2027: The second marking period closes (48 days).
February 1 – April 9, 2027 (WIDA ACCESS Window): First NY administration for WIDA ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS (replacing the NYSESLAT). All ELLs in grades K–12 must be tested across every domain. Note: There are only 37 school days available during this window due to 13 closure days (Feb 12, Midwinter Recess Feb 15–19, Eid al-Fitr Mar 9, and Spring Recess Mar 26–Apr 2).
March 8 – June 11, 2027 (NYSAA Window): Alternate Assessment window opens for ELA, Mathematics, and Science for eligible students with significant cognitive disabilities.
April 5 – May 14, 2027 (State Testing Window): Window for Grades 3–8 ELA and Math, and Grades 5 & 8 Science. Select two consecutive days within the window per grade and subject to test the whole grade together (Science is a single day). Note: The first five days of this window overlap with the close of WIDA; schedule WIDA to finish before April.
April 9, 2027: The third marking period closes (42 days). The WIDA ACCESS window also closes. All administration and make-ups must be finished; there are no extensions.
April 15, 2027 (Hard Deadline): Every WIDA test material (used and unused) must be shipped to Data Recognition Corporation.
May 21, 2027: Scoring must be completely finished for Grades 3–8 ELA/Math and Science tests.
Spring 2027 (Upon Results Arrival): Apply exit criteria and notify families once WIDA results arrive. Confirm the applicable cut score with OBEWL before deciding exits, and schedule two years of former-ELL services for students who test out.
June 14 – 22, 2027: Half days for students.
June 22, 2027: The last day of school and close of the fourth marking period (49 days). Confirm every ELL cumulative folder and school-level critical document folder are complete.
Fall 2027: The WIDA Screener officially replaces the NYSITELL for identification, aligning Bronx campuses with NJ campuses. Staff will need training, and procedures must be rewritten before this year begins.
NYSITELL Administration: The NYSITELL remains the identification test for all enrolling students during the 2026–27 year. Grade K Level I runs June 1 – Jan 31; levels for grades 1–12 open July 15.
Entitlement Notices: Notices must be sent within 5 school days of each ELL determination. The letter must be in the parent’s preferred language and state the results, ELL status, and right to seek a review.
Annual ELL Parent Meeting: Meet with the parents of every ELL individually at least once a year, utilizing a qualified interpreter, to discuss program goals, proficiency results, and language development. Evidence and attendance records must be kept.