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Ridgefield Park reports 38% growth in ESL enrollment and new supports for multilingual learners
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Summary
Supervisor Susanna Rodriguez reported a 38% enrollment increase in the district's ESL program over four years (132 to 181 students), introduced data-platform and PD supports (Elevation, I-Ready Spanish, WIDA standards in Atlas) and described plans for targeted content-area professional development and family engagement.
Susanna Rodriguez, the district's Supervisor of World Language and Multilingual Learners, gave the board an update on multilingual-learner (ML/ESL) services at the Aug. 27 meeting, reporting growth in enrollment and steps the district is taking to support students and teachers.
Rodriguez said ESL enrollment has increased 38 percent in four years, from 132 to 181 students, and the program is starting to show students reaching the "bridging" proficiency level (level 5). She credited recent hires and collaboration with principals and teachers for gains and said two new ESL teachers were added last year (one elementary, one at the high school).
To improve monitoring and support, Rodriguez said the district uses the Elevation platform to store ML access data, screening and exit letters, accommodations and progress monitoring; lesson plans are shared through the Genesys platform. The district also offers I-Ready math and reading assessments in Spanish and is embedding WIDA standards in the Atlas curriculum platform. Rodriguez described co-observations with principals to align evaluation and implementation, and she previewed an ESL teacher-led differentiated-instruction workshop planned for November.
Board members asked about staffing thresholds and resource needs; Rodriguez said current staffing appears sufficient for modest growth but the district will request additional support if enrollment rises sharply. Administrators and trustees emphasized the need for ongoing PD targeted to specific content areas (science, math, ELA) and for accountability through observations and teacher documentation.
What to expect: Rodriguez said family engagement nights and mentoring pilot opportunities will expand this year, and the administration intends to present outcome measures at future board meetings.
