Presented by Academic Office Multilingual Literacy Department

1. English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) Rights and Responsibilities Presented by Academic Office Multilingual Literacy Department English Learner Advisory Committee Training 2012-2013 Serna Center

2. What Is an ELAC? English Learner Advisory Committee A meeting where parents/guardians of English Learners meet to advise the principal and school staff on programs and services for English learners. It exists at every school that has twenty-one (21) or more English learners. Minimum of 4 meetings per year.

3. Components of an Effective ELAC Formation Composition Requirements Elections Major Function/Tasks Training Supporting Documents Legal References

4. Formation Each California public school, grades kindergarten through 12, with 21 or more English learners must form an English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).

5. Composition Requirements The percentage of parents of English learners on the committee must be at least the same as that of English learners at the school. Example: Susan B. Anthony School (65% EL) 8 members ELAC How many will need to be EL Parents? 5 In SCUSD we want to ensure that 51% or more of our ELAC members are English learner parents.

6. Elections Requirements for ELAC elections include: Parent/guardian members of English learners elect parent members to serve on school committee or subcommittee. The parents/guardians are provided the opportunity to vote for committee members. Each school committee shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).

7. Major Function/Tasks The committee advises and assists the school as follows: The ELAC advises the school principal and staff on: The school's program for English learners. The ELAC advises the School Site Council on: The development of the Single School Plan for Student Achievement. The ELAC assists in the following: The school's needs assessment. The school's annual language census (R-30 LC Report). Efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.

8. Major Function/Tasks: School Needs Assessments Study school student achievement data Study school existing programs Study budget and Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)or School Development Improvement Plan (SDIP) Social, cultural, and English language need of the EL students Other

9. Major Function/Tasks: Annual Language Census The school's annual language census (R-30 LC Report): It is an annual data collection administered in March that collects the following data elements: number of English learner (EL) students (formerly known as limited English-proficient [LEP]) and fluent English-proficient (FEP) students in California public schools (kindergarten through grade twelve) by grade and primary language other than English; number of EL students enrolled in specific instructional settings or services by type of setting or service; number of students reclassified from EL to FEP from the prior year; and the number of staff providing instructional services to EL students

10. Major Function/Tasks: Importance of School Attendance School Attendance Improvement Strategies Selected school attendance practices identified as having a positive effect in encouraging students to regularly attend school. For elementary school, all day. For secondary school all their high school classes.

11. Training The school shall provide for all ELAC members: Appropriate training and materials to assist each member carry out his or her legally required advisory responsibilities. Training planned in full consultation with ELAC members. Economic Impact Aid-Limited English Proficient and/or district funds may be used to cover costs of training and attendance of ELAC members and costs associated with child care, translation services, meals, and other reasonable expenses.).

12. ELAC Handbook

13. 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

14. 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 Multilingual Literacy Department (make sure agendas indicate elections, training, and completion of required ELAC duties).

15. 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 Multilingual Literacy Department (make sure minutes indicate elections, training, and completion of required ELAC duties).

16. DELAC Duties The DELAC must effectively advise the governing board on at least the following: district plan for English learners 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

17. Supporting Documents ELAC Handbook R-30 Census Report Information Attendance Information & Strategies Single Plan for Student Achievement, (SPSA) or School Development Improvement Plan, (SDIP) Economic Impact Aid, (EIA-LEP) Budget

18. 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 Other Possible ELAC or DELAC Topics • Testing (CELDT, STAR, CAHSEE, S.A.T.) • GATE, Honors, Advanced Placement Courses • Interventions, Tutoring and Counseling Services • Promotion/Retention • Parent Involvement and Volunteering • American School System

19. 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 is required to seek input from the ELAC about programs/services for ELs funded by the EIA-LEP budget as outlined in the Single Plan for Student Achievement or School Development Improvement Plan The ELAC may delegate duties to SSC only after ELAC is formed and trained on rights and responsibilities. The SSC must accept, be trained, and then carry out all ELAC duties. School facilitates interaction or communications among committees.

20. Legal References California Education Code, sections 35147(c), 52176(b), 62002.5, and 64001(a) California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 11308 (b) and (d) 20 United States Code Section 6312(g)(4)

21. Review Formation Composition Requirements Elections Major Function Tasks Training Legal References

22. Questions or Comments?