English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC) » Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions


Who is an "English Learner?"

According to state law EC 435 (a) an "English learner or pupil of limited English proficiency (LEP) means a pupil who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English or who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; and whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding of the English language may be sufficient to deny the individual the ability to meet the state's proficient level of achievement on state assessments, the ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English, or the opportunity to participate fully in society.

What is "Reclassification?"

For the 2020-21 school year the following reclassification criteria was approved by DELAC and the WSHUHSD school board:

Criterion 1: Assessment of English Learner Progress

  1. Assessment using an objective assessment instrument:
  2. Current Summative ELPAC score of overall 4.

 Criterion 2: Teacher Evaluation

  1. Teacher evaluation (including, but not limited to, a review of the student’s curriculum mastery):
  2. English class grade of C- (70%) or better and at least one of the following:
  3. Social Studies grade of C- (70%) or higher
  4. Science grade of C- (70%) or higher

 Criterion 3: Parent Opinion and Consultation

  1. Parent opinion and consultation at a face-to-face meeting, or telephone call.
  2. Signed “Reclassification parent letter” required (sample on next page).

 Criterion 4: Comparison of Performance in Basic Skills

  1. Comparison of student performance in basic skills compared against an empirically established range of performance in basic skills based on the performance of English proficient students of the same age. Choose ONE:
  2. Current District English Performance Task results of 3/2/2 or higher
  3. Current CAASPP ELA results: Meeting Standard or Above

 

What is Integrated v. Designated ELD?

Designated ELD is defined as instruction provided during a time during the regular school day for focused instruction on the state-adopted ELD standards to assist English learners to develop critical English language skills necessary for academic content learning in English. (California Code of Regulations, Title 5 [5 CCR] Section 11300[a])
 
Integrated ELD is defined as instruction in which the state-adopted ELD standards are used in tandem with the state-adopted academic content standards. Integrated ELD includes specifically designed academic instruction in English. (5 CCR Section 11300[c])

 

 

What is the ELPAC?

ELPAC Parent Guide - CAASPP (CA Dept of Education) 

ELPAC link to CDE

The ELPAC is the required state test for English language proficiency (ELP) that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English. State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of ELP to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The California Department of Education (CDE) transitioned from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the ELPAC as the state ELP assessment in 2018. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate ELP assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs), and a second for the annual summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and to identify the student's level of ELP.