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District presents ACCESS for ELLs results, plans Lexia purchase and outreach
Summary
Melissa Gallagher reviewed ACCESS for ELLs results (55 multilingual learners last year) and announced district initiatives including Lexia for K–2 multilingual learners, digital translators, sheltered-instruction training for teachers, and parent engagement events.
At the meeting, Melissa Gallagher presented the district’s ACCESS for ELLs assessment data and a plan to support multilingual learners in the 2025–26 school year.
Gallagher said the district had 55 multilingual learners by year-end, with higher concentrations in kindergarten and first grade. She explained the ACCESS assessment’s four domains (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and that students must reach an overall 4.5 to exit the ML program; exited students receive two years of monitoring.
Planned interventions include purchasing Lexia for targeted K–2 instruction, scheduling changes so ESL instruction does not replace core ELA or math, digital translator tools (Snap & Read, Scholastic Learn), professional development (sheltered instruction training and NJTOL attendance), and quarterly parent newsletters and events to increase family engagement.
Why it matters: Enrollment and proficiency trends shape resource needs and staffing. Gallagher said the district currently employs 1.5 ESL teachers; Title III funding helps programming but does not fully cover teacher salaries.
What happens next: The district will post and staff program positions per normal hiring protocol and proceed with the planned purchases and professional development.
