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Syosset prepares to offer state-mandated transitional bilingual program for Mandarin speakers; staff outline costs and logistics
Summary
Because the district reached a state threshold for Mandarin-speaking students, administrators said they must offer a transitional bilingual education program for incoming grades 1 and 2, estimated to require three bilingual teachers, additional classrooms and about $413,000 in first-year costs if all eligible families opt in.
Syosset Central School District administrators told the board on Feb. 13 that New York State regulations require the district to offer a transitional bilingual education (TBE) option after enrollment of a language group exceeded the regulatory threshold for a grade band.
Assistant Superintendent Ray LaVersa explained that the district's English-language-learning (ELL or E and L) program is meeting students' needs, but state rules require presenting an option for a TBE program when at least 20 students who speak the same home language are enrolled in a grade band; under current enrollment trends,…
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