Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL)
Our mission is to ensure that all New York State English Language Learners (ELLs) attain the highest level of academic success and that all Multilingual Learners (MLs) – which include ELLs, Former/Ever ELLs, World Languages students, and heritage speakers of World Languages – achieve the highest level of language proficiency in English and in one or more other languages.
Our Vision is to provide leadership that embraces linguistically diverse learners to establish a Multilingual Society.
We strive to ensure that all students’ individual educational paths and socio-emotional needs are met in multiple languages leading them to college and career readiness. NYSED believes that all teachers are teachers of ELLs/MLLs. Our goal is to provide guidance, technical assistance, and support to NY State Districts, Charter Schools, Non-public Schools, and other organizations (Universities, State Educational Organizations) in the development of programs for English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners and World Language students. OBEWL serves over 700 Local Education Agencies and over 260,000 ELLs/MLLs from over 200 language backgrounds.
The Bilingual Education website has current information on regulations, programs and funding for districts.
The World Languages website has resources that promote and support the teaching and learning of one or more languages and cultures, in addition to the English language.