Senate Bill S4585

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S4585

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the education law, in relation to educational programs
for certain non-English speaking pupils in a city having a population
of one million or more


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

In elementary schools, the English as a Second Language (ESL) program
has been virtually wiped out despite the fact that there still exists
a need to stress the teaching of English to non-English speaking
pupils.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

This bill amends section 3204 of the education law by adding a new
subdivision 6, which provides that there shall be employed in each
elementary school in New York city one English as a second
Language-licensed teacher for every fifty non-English speaking pupils
or major fraction thereof.

 JUSTIFICATION :

              

Teachers of English as a Second Language (TESL) are specially licensed
personnel who are experts in their field. They provide extensive
instruction on a small group basis. As such, an ESL program provides
non-English speaking pupils expert instruction and a very limited
class size for at least one period of 45 minutes a day.

In order to ensure that non-English speaking pupils learn English as
quickly and effectively as possible, it is necessary to stress the
teaching and learning of English through the continuance of ESL
programs. In addition to participating in the bilingual programs,
non-English speaking students should be exposed to an extensive
program in English as a Second Language, taught by experts. This bill
would provide for this and better prepare non-English speaking pupils
for full participation in society.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

S.6599, Espada in the 2001/02 Session

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day it shall
have become a law, provided, however, that effective immediately
and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the
implementation of the foregoing section of this act on its effective
date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before
such effective date.