ELAC Rights and Responsibilities

1. ELAC Rights and Responsibilities English Language Learner Department San Juan Unified School District English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

2. What is an ELAC? • An English Learner Advisory Committee is intended for parents/guardians of English Learners to advise the principal and school staff on programs and services for English Learners. • An ELAC is required at every school that has more than twenty (20) identified English Learners, regardless of the types of programs offered at the school. • The ELAC serves in an advisory capacity. • In the SJUSD, the minimum number of meetings required is four per year (school consults with members to determine dates and times). English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

3. What is an English Learner? • An English Learner is a student whose primary language is not English and is still developing his/her English skills. • Other terms that are sometimes used to describe English Learners are: EL students, limited English proficient (LEP) students, ESL/ELD students, English language learners (ELL). • An English Learner will be considered fluent English proficient (FEP) when he/she meets the district’s reclassification criteria. English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

4. Reclassification Criteria • The purpose of reclassification is to assure that English Learners have acquired English listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills at the level of a native speaker of English. • The State Board of Education established four broad reclassification criteria: They are: • English Proficiency • Teacher Evaluation and Recommendation • Parent Consultation • Basic skills in the English Language Arts part of the California Standards Test (CST) • SJUSD has adopted the State Criteria listed above. English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

5. ReclassificationCriteria Draft English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

6. Composition • While there is no minimum number of members required, there should be enough members to allow for meaningful parental input. • Percentage of parents of English Learners in the ELAC must be at least the same as that of English Learners in the school. • As long as the criteria in the second item above is maintained, other members may include parents of non English Learners, school staff, and community members. • ELAC membership includes all elected members, not just the officers. English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

7. Officers • While officers are not required, the SJUSD recommendation is to have a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary. • Officers help develop agendas. • Chairperson and vice chairperson help conduct meetings. • Secretary takes meeting notes. • Having a DELAC representative is required (recommendation is to have two) • DELAC representative(s) attend DELAC meetings and take and bring information between the ELAC and DELAC on behalf of the ELAC members. English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2007-08/

8. Relationship to Other Committees • DELAC representatives serve as links between school and district. • It is recommended that the School Site Council (SSC) include representation by parents of English Learners. • The SSC needs to seek input from the ELAC, at a minimum, about the school plan and EIA-LEP budget. • The ELAC may delegate duties to SSC (for up to two years if a SBCP) only after ELAC is formed and trained on rights and responsibilities. The SSC must then carry out all ELAC duties. • School facilitates interaction between committees. English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

9. Elections • Elections must be for all members, not just the officers (there may be two elections, one for general membership and one for officers). • Elections may be by ballots or during a meeting (if all parents of English Learners are notified that elections will take place). • All parents of English Learners must be given an opportunity to participate in elections. • Parents of English Learners elect the parent members of the ELAC. English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2007-08/

10. Bylaws • While bylaws are not required, they are recommended. • Some items to cover: • Membership composition • Election procedures • Officers • Whether delegation of ELAC duties is an option • Number of meetings • Parliamentary procedures • Topics to cover English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

11. Required ELAC Duties • The ELAC must effectively advise on at least the following: • School Plan/policies/programs for English Learners, including budget • Development of the school’s needs assessment (on any issue, not limited to those pertaining exclusively to English Learners) • School’s annual language census • Recommended actions to support regular school attendance English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2007-08/

12. Training • Appropriate training and materials must be provided by school to assist members carry out required duties. • Training must be for all ELAC members, not just officers. • The school is responsible for translating training materials and other meeting materials into languages represented. • The school facilitates the obtaining of information and guest speakers English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

13. Agendas • Officers or general membership must assist in developing the agendas. • Each meeting’s agenda must be developed from three sources: • ELAC members’ selected items • School staff and district selected items • State required items • Copies of agendas must be kept on file at school and sent to the ELL department (make sure agendas indicate elections, training, and completion of required ELAC duties). English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2007-08/

14. Minutes • Minutes must be taken at each meeting (ELAC secretary usually does this). • School is responsible for providing translators at each meeting and translating minutes into languages represented. • Copies of minutes must be kept on file at school and sent to the ELL Department (make sure minutes indicate elections, training, and completion of required ELAC duties). English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

15. EIA-LEP and General Funds Support of ELAC • Transportation • Training and Training Materials • Translations • Interpreters • Meals (???) • Speakers/presenters • Conference Expenses • Other Reasonable Expenses English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

16. DELAC Duties • The DELAC must effectively advise the governing board on at least the following: • district plan for English Learner’s • – district-wide needs assessment • – setting district goals for English Learner education • – district plan to meet teacher and aide requirements • – language census • – written parent notification of initial enrollment • – district’s reclassification process • – written notifications sent home to parents/guardians English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/

17. Some Other Possible ELAC or DELAC Topics • Uniform Complaint Procedures • High School Graduation Requirements • University Entrance (U.C./C.S./A-G) Requirements • Adult School Opportunities for Parents • Immigration/citizenship • Grading (Report Card) System • Extra-curricular Activities • Testing (CELDT, STAR, CAHSEE, S.A.T.) • GATE, Honors, Advanced Placement Courses • Interventions, Tutoring Counseling Services • Promotion/Retention • Parent Involvement and Volunteering • American School System English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2007-08/

18. Contacts • SJUSD English Language Learner 971-5260 • Secretary (Teri Hofstetter) 971-5382 • Data Entry (Peggy Ruth) 971-5389 • Translators (Claudia Young) 971-5390 Testing Centers *Mira Loma (Fred Goraieb) 971-7470 *San Juan (Mary Herkenrath) 971-5181 • Indian Education (Jennifer Longley) 971-5383 • State and Federal Programs (Lisa Wicks) 971-7187 • California Department of Education • English Learner Monitoring Unit 319-0949 (office) or 319-0320 (consultant) • Categorical Programs Complaint Management 319-0928 • Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Ed.(415) 556-4275 • Information on Teacher Credentialing 322-5038 • Language Policy and Leadership Office 319-0845 English/ELAC Rights&Responsibilities2008-09/