http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2626&q=321160
Each local and regional board of education shall limit the time an eligible student spends in a program of bilingual education to thirty months, whether or not such months are consecutive, except that summer school and two-way language programs pursuant to subsection (i) of this section shall not be counted. If an eligible student does not meet the English mastery standard at the end of thirty months, the local or regional board of education shall provide language transition support services to such student. Such services may include, but need not be limited to, English as a second language programs, sheltered English programs, English immersion programs, tutoring and homework assistance.
First, this is just Connecticut law. And reading the law, it says " Each local and regional board of education shall limit the time an eligible student spends in a program of bilingual education to thirty months, whether or not such months are consecutive, except that summer school and two-way language programs pursuant to subsection."
Bilingual education is defined as:
Program of bilingual education” means a program that: (A) Makes instructional use of both English and an eligible student’s native language; (B) enables eligible students to achieve English proficiency and academic mastery of subject matter content and higher order skills, including critical thinking, so as to meet appropriate grade promotion and graduation requirements; (C) provides for the continuous increase in the use of English and corresponding decrease in the use of the native language for the purpose of instruction within each year and from year to year and provides for the use of English for more than half of the instructional time by the end of the first year; (D) may develop the native language skills of eligible students; and (E) may include the participation of English proficient students if the program is designed to enable all enrolled students to become more proficient in English and a second language.
Once that 30 months is up, "the local or regional board of education shall provide language transition support services to such student. Such services may include, but need not be limited to, English as a second language programs, sheltered English programs, English immersion programs, tutoring and homework assistance."
So reading the law, students can receive ESL training and other services. ESL is not limited to 30 months like bilingual education.
English as a second language program” means a program that uses only English the instructional language for eligible students and enables such students to achieve English proficiency and academic mastery of subject matter content and higher order skills, including critical thinking, so as to meet appropriate grade promotion and graduation requirements.