Immigrant Student Count - 2008

» Immigration Issues: a public notice from Commissioner Kevin M. Ryan

It is a No Child Left Behind Title III requirement that States report the number of immigrant students enrolled in school districts.  Federal funds are reserved for school districts that have experienced a significant increase in the number of immigrant children enrolled in public and nonpublic schools within their jurisdiction.   The purpose of these immigrant funds is to pay for activities that provide enhanced instructional opportunities for immigrant children and youth.   Currently, districts must have a 2% or greater increase in immigrant children and youth enrolled over the previous two years.  Please be advised that these Title III immigrant funds may be available to districts in addition to Title III funds even if the district has less than a $10,000 Title III allocation.  All funding is contingent upon the State’s receipt of federal No Child Left Behind Title III Immigrant funds.
 
The immigrant student enrollment collection tool is now available online.  This collection via the Internet  requires back-up information to be provided by mail.  This is a mandatory data collection.  Both report formats must be submitted to be considered for funding.  The supporting documentation/forms can be found at: http://homeroom.state.nj.us (click on ISGE – Immigrant Student Grant Eligibility). 

 To be eligible for a grant allocation, districts must meet the following criteria:

• The district’s combined public and nonpublic school immigrant student enrollment in February 2008 must represent at least a 2% increase as compared to the average immigrant enrollment of the two preceding years: February 2006 and 2007.

• Districts must have a total public and nonpublic school enrollment of 20 or more immigrant students in February 2008.

Federal regulations define immigrant students as those who:

• are age 3 to 21;
• were not born in any State, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John); and
• have not been attending one or more schools in any one or more States for more than three full academic years (the years do not have to be consecutive). 

If you would like to be considered for immigrant funding for FY 2009, please submit your district’s immigrant student enrollment data to the New Jersey Department of Education at http://homeroom.state.nj.us (ISGE).  On the immigrant count data collection homepage (ISGE), you will find the following to assist you in completing the immigrant student enrollment information:

• Welcome to New Users;
• User Manual;
• Immigration Count Form;
• Frequently Asked Questions;
• Data Entry Instructions; and
• System Requirements.

           
The immigrant student count must be submitted via the Internet to the Department of Education by April 4, 2008.  In addition to the immigrant student enrollment submitted online, you must complete and submit back-up data and a Statement of Assurances.  The completed paper forms and statement of assurances must also be received no later than April 4, 2008. 

Please mail or fax the completed back-up forms and statement of assurances to the Department of Education by April 4, 2008 to:

New Jersey Department of Education
Division of Student Services
Office of Student Achievement and Accountability
PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Fax: (609) 292-1211
e-mail: isge@doe.state.nj.us

If you have any questions, please call the Office of Student Achievement and Accountability at (609) 292-8777 or e-mail isge@doe.state.nj.us.

Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Legal Statement | Accessibility Statement