East Hampton Pledges Better Communication With English Learners

Late last week, New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced an agreement with East Hampton and six other school districts in Suffolk and Westchester Counties intended to expand access to educational opportunities for English language learners.

In Suffolk County, the Amityville, East Hampton, Greenport, Hampton Bays, Patchogue-Medford, and Riverhead School Districts have agreed to implement new policies and procedures aimed at increasing communication between parents and school officials. In Westchester County, the Mount Vernon City School District pledged to make similar changes.

In February of last year, in response to complaints from parents and immigrant-rights advocates in Suffolk County, the attorney general's civil rights bureau opened an inquiry to examine policies and procedures at several school districts enrolling the highest percentages of English language learners. Elizabeth DeBold, a spokeswoman for Mr. Schneiderman, declined to discuss specific complaints related to each district, but said that all served significant English language learner populations that made up 12 to 16 percent or more of the student bodies.

According to the 2012-13 New York State Report Card (the most recent available), 43 percent of East Hampton's roughly 1,800 students, were Latino. On Friday, Richard Burns, the East Hampton superintendent, said that more than half of the current freshman class at East Hampton High School is Latino.

"Because we're over a certain threshold, they want to make sure our procedures are in place," explained Mr. Burns. "It makes it seem like we had a corrective action, but that wasn't the intent."

Last fall, Long Island saw a surge of 2,500 unaccompanied immigrant children enrolling in public schools, with dozens barred from enrolling due to insufficient documentation. According to Mr. Burns, so far at least, such unaccompanied minors have not enrolled in East Hampton.

Still, ensuring equal access has proved an ongoing concern, particularly as the number of Latino children has risen in recent years.

"Our schools must provide students with the tools and resources to succeed regardless of English proficiency or where they came from," Attorney General Schneiderman said in a statement. "My office is proud to work collaboratively with school districts to ensure that language barriers will not stand in the way of students obtaining a quality education, and that students and their families understand the services that are available to them."

According to recent United States Census data, approximately 2.5 million New Yorkers speak a primary language other than English. Such changing demographics of student populations have caused English language learners to face barriers when accessing school services, including the denial of timely screenings and appropriate services.

Going forward, such districts will be required to comply with certain procedures. Such students must be properly screened for language ability when registering, with parental notifications provided in the family's native language on issues related to student placement, bilingual programs, and special education services. In addition, parents must be offered the use of interpreting services during school functions, with translated materials also available on each district's website. Finally, beyond those guidelines set by the State Education Department, families cannot face barriers to entry when attempting to enroll their children in school.

Each district must also supply periodic updates to the Attorney General's office regarding the implementation and strengthening of each policy, as well as the training of staff members and district personnel.

Cheryl Keshner, coordinator of the Long Island Language Advocates Coalition, a nonprofit dedicating to combating unequal access, applauded such changes. "When schools fail to meet the language needs of limited English proficient students and parents who are unable to read documents and important materials regarding their education, students are denied meaningful educational opportunity."

Ms. Keshner urged parents experiencing any difficulties to contact the attorney general's complaint line at 212-416-8250. Online complaint forms are also available.