English Learner (EL)
How is my child identified as an English Learner?
Upon enrollment, parents fill out a survey called the “Home Language Survey.” If the Home Language Survey indicates that your child or any family member speaks/reads/writes another language at home, your child must take a state language assessment called the “California English Language Development Test.” If your child scored at the Beginning, Early Intermediate, or Intermediate level on the first assessment, they are identified as an “English Learner.”
Why is my child identified as Initial Fluent English Proficient or IFEP?
On the first ever taken California English Language Development Test (CELDT), if your child scored at the Early Advanced or Advanced level of language proficiency, your child is identified as “Initially Fluent English Proficient” or IFEP, meaning that your child has enough language proficiency to continue learning like native language speaking and doesn’t need additional English Language Development support.
What is Reclassified to Fluent English Proficient or RFEP?
Students may be reclassified to Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) throughout the year; but we primarily do so in February at Language Review Team (LRT) meetings. A Parent Consultation/Notification letter will go home. We require a parent signature on file to signify that parents were consulted and notified of the change in status and program placement.
Your child’s teacher will meet with our EL Coordinator (Mrs. Santos) the principal, and other support staff twice yearly in a Language Review Team (LRT) to review the language progress of your child. At this time, we also review students for Reclassification to Fluent English Proficient. If we find that your child is ready to be RFEP, you will be consulted and notified with a parent letter.
If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Santos.
What is ELD?
ELD stands for English Language Development, the acquisition and learning of the English language, which includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Every school with English Learners has an ELD Program to help students learn listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English.
What is an English Learner?
An English Learner is any student who speaks another language at home and is learning English. An English Learner has not reached a proficient level of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English, as assessed by the District with the California English Language Development Test(CELDT) and other measures.
What is the CELDT and why does my child take this test?
The CELDT is the “California English Language Development Test.” If another language is identified as being spoken in your home in the Home Language Survey, your child is a possible English Learner and required by state law to take the California English Language Development Test (CELDT).
What does the CELDT assessment tell you?
The CELDT is a state measure of language proficiency. It tells us how proficient your child is with listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English.
What is ELAC?
ELAC stands for “English Learner Advisory Committee.” Every school that has 20 or more English Learners must have an advisory committee composed of English Learner parents and staff members. The purpose of the committee is to advise the school on the needs of English Learner students.
What is the DELAC?
DELAC is the “DISTRICT English Learner Advisory Committee.” Each school with an ELAC (site English Learner Advisory Committee) sends a representative(s) to be members of the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC). The purpose of the DELAC is to share and discuss programs for English Learners within the district, and advise the District on English Language Learner (ELL) needs. Representatives report back to the site ELAC.
What is IFEP?
I-FEP stands for “Initial Fluent English Proficient.” Students who demonstrate Early Advanced or Advanced language proficiency on their initial California English Language Development Test (CELDT), with no domain score below Intermediate, are termed “Initially Fluent English Proficient” or IFEP. Students who are I-FEP demonstrate they have enough language proficiency to succeed as native-English speakers in school. They do not receive English Learner program services. However, they may qualify for other services, such as Extended Day Tutorials.