The East Ramapo Central School District (Spring Valley) presented an informational segment detailing services for students who are English language learners.

District presenters said about 60% of the district’s students are identified as English language learners, one of the highest percentages in New York state, and described two primary programs used to support them: English as a New Language (ENL) and Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE). The ENL program serves students from many language backgrounds — presenters listed Spanish, Haitian Creole, Urdu and Ukrainian among others — and delivers core subjects such as math, science and social studies in English while providing targeted language instruction.

Presenters described a co-teaching model in ENL where an ESOL-certified teacher works alongside a content teacher to provide both subject instruction and language support, and said teachers may use students’ home languages when needed. The stated goal of ENL is to build English proficiency while sustaining access to academic content.

The TBE program, presenters said, includes ongoing Spanish instruction with increasing English-language instruction over time; students transition to English-only classes when they are ready. Program formats include a single bilingual teacher using both languages or separate teachers for English and Spanish instruction. Presenters emphasized that language supports are available across learning environments and said the district celebrates students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The segment was an informational update rather than a public meeting or decision-making session; no formal motions, votes or policy changes were recorded.