California Department of Education August 21, 2006
English Learners in California Frequently Asked Questions
The following are responses to generally asked uestions regarding English !earners "E!s#$ The freuently asked uestions and answers are intended to assist school districts in implementing ser%ices to E!s$ &y no means does this collection represent all of the uestions or scenarios$ 'ntroduction and Demographics 'dentification and (lacement Curriculum and 'nstruction (arental E)ception *ai%ers +taffing Testing, Assessment and Accounta,ility +tudents with Disa,ilities -ther .uestions Acronyms /eferences Introduction and Demographics California has the most diverse student population in the world, with more than 100 languages spoken in the homes of those students. Today, our student population is majority-minority. orty- one per!ent of our students speak a language other than "nglish at home, and a #uarter of all California pu$li! s!hool students are struggling to learn the "nglish language in s!hool. %adly, too many people view su!h diversity as a $ig pro$lem. & don't. &nstead, & say( &magine the potential of that diversity in today's and tomorrow's )glo$al e!onomy. &f we edu!ate these students well, our state would not only $e a$le to !ompete more effe!tively, $ut it would $e a$le to lead our nation and the world e!onomi!ally. *a!k +'Connell, %uperintendent of ,u$li! &nstru!tion %tate of "du!ation remarks, -00. 0early 1$6 million pupils in the kindergarten through grade twel%e "1212# pu,lic educational system in California, or one in four, are E!s$ This represents almost one2third of the E!s in the nation$ E!s are enrolled in almost e%ery district and in the %ast ma3ority of schools in the state$ Appro)imately 45 percent are +panish speaking, 2$2 percent are 6ietnamese speaking, and 1$5 percent are 7mong speaking$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 1 of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 E!s face the daunting task of learning the academic curriculum and a new language concurrently$ They need to learn English uickly enough and fluently enough to participate in academic work, and like all children, learn grade le%el mathematics, reading9language arts, social studies, and science$ The law go%erning the educational ser%ices for E!s is %aried and consists of ,oth state and federal reuirements$ 8ederal law clearly takes precedence o%er state law if there is a conflict$ Therefore, districts must ensure that they comply with all federal reuirements while also implementing state reuirements$ Applica,le legal citations referenced are included in the responses, as appropriate$ Identification and Placement 1 !ho is identified as an EL" An E! is a 1212 student who, ,ased on o,3ecti%e assessment, has not de%eloped listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiencies in English sufficient for participation in the regular school program$ These students are sometimes referred to as !imited English (roficient "!E(#$ The process for identification is descri,ed in the California English !anguage De%elopment Test "CE!DT# Assistance (acket for +chool Districts at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ta9tg9el9resources$asp$ # !hat is the program placement for ELs in California" An English language classroom is the placement for E!s in California, unless a parental e)ception wai%er is granted for an alternati%e program$ There are two types of English language classrooms: +tructured English 'mmersion "+E'# and English !anguage ;ainstream$ +E' classrooms are designed for students with less than <reasona,le fluency=$ An English language mainstream classroom is designed for students with <reasona,le fluency= or a <good working knowledge of English=$ Typically, E!s scoring at the ,eginning to intermediate le%els on the CE!DT are considered to ha%e less than <reasona,le fluency= "California "du!ation Code >"C? +ection @05#$ An E! shall ,e transferred from a +E' classroom to an English language mainstream classroom when the pupil has acuired a reasona,le le%el of English proficiency ""C @05#$ 7owe%er, at any time, including during the school year, a parent or guardian may ha%e his or her child mo%ed into an English language mainstream classroom "California Code of /egulations 0CC/1, Title 5, section 11@01#$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 2 of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 $ !hat is %EI" +E', also known as <+heltered English 'mmersion=, is an English language acuisition process for young children in which nearly all classroom instruction is in English, ,ut with curriculum and presentation designed for children who are learning the language ""C @06#$ Typically, +E' includes: "1# English language de%elopment "E!D# appropriate to each studentAs le%el of English proficiency, "2# content instruction utiliBing specially designed academic instruction in English "+DA'E# whene%er needed for full access to the core, and "@# may include primary language support$ Csually, +E' is for E!s scoring at the ,eginning through intermediate le%els on CE!DT$ The California Department of Education "CDE# has consistently ad%ised !EAs of their legal o,ligation to pro%ide the minimum program elements of E!D, formerly known as E+!, and access to the core curriculum "Castaneda v. ,i!kard, 1D41#$ +ee uestion 1D for additional information regarding E!D$ & 'ust all ELs (e enrolled in an %EI program for one year" E!s who lack reasona,le fluency in English, as defined ,y the district, must ,e placed in a +E' program unless their parent9guardian reuests placement in an English language mainstream classroom or is granted a parental e)ception wai%er for an alternati%e program$ -f course, all E!s must recei%e additional and appropriate educational ser%ices until they are reclassified ""C @05, CC/, Title 5, sections 11@01 and 11@02#$ ) 'ay EL students (e re*enrolled in a %EI program" Ees$ 2n "nglish learner may $e re-enrolled in a stru!tured "nglish program not normally intended to e3!eed one year if the pupil has not a!hieved a reasona$le level of "nglish profi!ien!y unless the parents or guardians of the pupil o$je!t to the e3tended pla!ement 4CC/, Title 5, section 11@01#$ + !hat is a Dual Language Program or ,-o*!ay Immersion Program" Two2way immersion programs integrate language minority students "E!s# and language ma3ority students "English speakers# in order to de%elop their ,ilingualism and ,iliteracy in English and another language$ 'n two2way programs, the model selected generally prescri,es the amount of time spent in the target "non2English# language$ Dual !anguage (rogram or Two2*ay 'mmersion (rogram is one of the instructional deli%ery approaches under the alternati%e program$ 8or more information, please %isit http:99www$cde$ca$go%9sp9el9ip$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age @ of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 . !hat does a parent need to do to ha/e his0her child placed in an English language mainstream classroom" The parent9guardian of an E! need only reuest this placement$ This does not entail going through the wai%er process$ "CC/, Title 5, sections 11@01>,?#$ 1 !hat does a parent need to do to ha/e his0her child placed in an alternati/e program" The parent9guardian may reuest a wai%er to allow his9her child to participate in an alternati%e program following local district wai%er procedures$ The final decision to grant or deny the reuest lies with the principal and educational staff who must apply the standard found at CC/, Title 5, section 11@0D",#"F#$ 2 'ust students under -ai/er option EC $113c4 (e placed in an English language classroom for $5 days each year" 0o$ E! students with appro%ed wai%ers need only ,e placed in an English language classroom for @0 days in their initial school year in California$ Although the wai%er reuest must ,e su,mitted annually, in su,seuent years the student need not repeat the @0 day trial period$ 15 !here may %EI take place" +E' may take place in any educational setting where the teacher is ualified to pro%ide it$ 11 !here can -e get information a(out de/eloping programs for linguistically and culturally di/erse students" CDE has a list of resources with information a,out de%eloping programs for linguistically and culturally di%erse students at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9sp9el9er$ Curriculum and Instruction 1# !hat responsi(ilities do districts ha/e to pro/ide full access to grade* le/el core curriculum for ELs" Districts must ensure that all students meet grade2le%el core curriculum standards within a reasona,le amount of time$ 'f a district chooses to emphasiBe E!D ,efore full access to the core curriculum or if the student does not comprehend enough English to allow full access to the core curriculum, the district must de%elop and successfully implement a plan for E!s to recoup any and all academic deficits ,efore the deficits ,ecome irrepara,le "CC/, Title 5, sections 11@02>a? and >,?#$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age F of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 1$ !hat are the ELD standards" The "nglish-language 5evelopment %tandards are designed to supplement the English2language arts content standards to ensure that !E( students "now called E!s in California# de%elop proficiency in ,oth the English language and the concepts and skills contained in the English2language arts content standards$ The standards are designed to assist teachers in mo%ing E!s to fluency in English and proficiency in the English2language arts content standards$ The E!D standards were also used to de%elop the CE!DT$ The E!D standards can ,e downloaded at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ta9tg9el9admin$asp$ 4"nglish-6anguage 5evelopment %tandards for California ,u$li! %!hools, 1DDD7 1& 'ust the language of instruction used (y the teaching personnel in an English language classroom (e 6o/er-helmingly7 the English language" Ees$ 'n all English language classrooms, the language of instruction used ,y the teaching personnel must ,e <o%erwhelmingly= the English language$ 'n +E' programs howe%er, <nearly all= classroom instruction is in English$ 't is the responsi,ility of each district to define <o%erwhelmingly= and <nearly all= in order to determine how much primary language instruction or support is permitted ""C @06 and @10#$ 1) 'ay primary language literacy de/elopment take place in California schools" Although instruction in English language classrooms must ,e o%erwhelmingly in English, instruction need not ,e e)clusi%ely in English$ 'n alternati%e programs, instruction may ,e pro%ided in English as well as in a language other than English$ 1+ 8o- long must districts pro/ide ser/ices to ELs" +chool districts are reuired to !ontinue to provide additional and appropriate edu!ational servi!es to "nglish learners until they have demonstrated "nglish-language skills !ompara$le to that of the distri!t's average native "nglish-language speakers and have re!ouped any a!ademi! defi!its whi!h may have $een in!urred in other areas of the !ore !urri!ulum "CC/, Title 5, section 11@02#$ +er%ices must continue until E!s meet o,3ecti%e reclassification criteria ""C @1@#$ This means that E! students must ,e pro%ided with E!D and +DA'E, as needed, and9or primary language instruction until they are redesignated as fluent English proficient "8E(#$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 5 of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 1. Does a district ha/e any responsi(ility for monitoring redesignated0reclassified students" Ees$ Districts recei%ing Title ''' funds are reuired under 0o Child !eft &ehind "0C!&# to monitor students for two years after redesignation "0C!&, +ection @121>a?>F?#$ 11 'ay %DAIE in content classes (e considered part of %EI" Ees$ 7owe%er, E!D must also ,e part of the defined +E'$ +DA'E is defined, for purpose of teacher credentialing, as instru!tion in a su$je!t area, delivered in "nglish, that is spe!ially designed to meet the needs of limited- "nglish-profi!ient pupils$ +DA'E is an instructional methodology, not a program ""C FF25@$2>,?#$ 12 Are all ELs required to recei/e ELD appropriate to their English proficiency le/el" Ees$ During the regular day, differentiated E!D instruction appropriate to the English proficiency le%el of each E! must ,e pro%ided ,y an authoriBed teacher until the student is reclassified$ Districts are to pro%ide E!s with instruction using whate%er materials are deemed appropriate that are specifically designed to ena,le students at each le%el of English language proficiency to acuire academic English rapidly, efficiently, and effecti%ely$ The law does not reuire a specific num,er of minutes of E!D for all E!s$ Each district has the discretion to determine the amount of time appropriate for students at different English language proficiency le%els$ The district should ha%e a rationale for the scheduling and amount of E!D students are recei%ing that ,ears relation to progress in English "Casta8eda v. ,i!kard, 1D41#$ 8or the suggested amount of instructional minutes for E!D, consult the +tate &oard of Education "+&E# adopted criteria for reading9language arts9E!D instructional materials contained in the 2004 8ramework posted at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ci9rl9cf$ #5 Is it mandatory to pro/ide EL ser/ices to pupils -hose parents do not -ant their children to recei/e those ser/ices"
(arents may reuest that their children ,e e)empted from a specific instructional setting "CC/, Title 5, section 11@01 ",##$ 7owe%er, districts still ha%e an o,ligation to ensure that students recei%e E!D and access to other core content areas from teachers who are ualified to pro%ide such instruction "Casta8eda v. ,i!kard, 1D41#$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 6 of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 #1 !hat are the options for introducing English Literacy" 'n English !anguage classrooms "+E' and mainstream# English literacy is introduced immediately$ 'n alternati%e classrooms, literacy is also introduced immediatelyG the formal introduction of English literacy depends on the program design$ ## !hat instructional materials can LEAs use to pro/ide ELD instruction" Districts and schools ha%e a %ariety of resources and instructional materials a%aila,le to support E!D instruction$ 8or grades kindergarten through grade eight, state2adopted materials contain E!D support components$ 'n addition, the current list includes inter%ention materials for E!s$ The list of state2adopted reading9language arts materials is a%aila,le on the CDE *e, site at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ci9rl9im$ 8or grades nine through twel%e, there are no state2adopted instructional materials$ !ocal district go%erning ,oards adopt instructional materials for use in their high schools$ #$$!hat materials should (e pro/ided to our ELs" E!s must ,e pro%ided standards2aligned instructional materials$ 8or kindergarten through grade eight, these are state2adopted instructional materials in mathematics, science, reading9language arts, and history2social science that are consistent with the content and cycles of the curriculum frameworks and include uni%ersal access features that address the needs of E!s$ 8or grades nine through twel%e local go%erning ,oards should adopt standards2aligned materials for all students that include uni%ersal access features$ ;ore information is a%aila,le at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ci9cr9cf9imfrpfa1$asp$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age H of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 PA9E:,AL E;CEP,I<: !AI=E9% #& !hen are parental e>ception -ai/ers required" *hen the parent9guardian of an E! wishes to ha%e his9her student placed in a program that is an alternati%e to +E', or an English language mainstream classroom, a wai%er is reuired$ An alternati%e program is likely to ,e some form of ,ilingual education such as the Two2*ay program ""C @10,@11#$ #) Are districts o(ligated to esta(lish a parental e>ception -ai/er process" Ees$ +chool districts must esta,lish procedures for granting parental e)ception wai%ers$ These procedures must ,e appro%ed ,y the local go%erning ,oard$ "CC/, Title 5, section 11@0DG "C @10 and @11# #+ !hat is the standard that schools and districts must use in making decisions to grant or deny a parent?s -ai/er request" ,arental e3!eption waivers shall $e granted unless the s!hool prin!ipal and edu!ational staff have determined that an alternative program . . . would not $e $etter suited for the overall edu!ational development of the pupil "CC/, Title 5, section 11@0D >,?>F?#$ #. If I am denied a parental e>ception -ai/er@ -hat are my options" 'n cases where a parental e)ception wai%er is denied, parents9guardians must ,e informed in writing of the reason"s# for denial and ad%ised of any procedures that e)ist to appeal the decision to the local ,oard of education or their right to appeal to a court$ A parent may also reuest a +&E re%iew of the districtAs wai%er procedure$ (arents always ha%e the right to address the districtAs ,oard of education regarding any issues of concern$ (arents may also file a formal complaint under the districtAs Cniform Complaint (rocedures "CC/, Title 5, sections 11@0D >d?#$ #1 If an alternati/e program is not offered at a specific school site@ is the district o(ligated to pro/ide transportation to a district school -here an alternati/e program is a/aila(le" 'f the district pro%ides transportation to other optional or %oluntary programs, such as magnet programs, academies, or other alternati%e programs, it must pro%ide transportation to the alternati%e program that is a%aila,le$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 4 of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 #2 Are there resources to assist LEA staff in locating parental notification documents translated into non*English languages" Ees$ The Clearinghouse for ;ultilingual Documents "C;D# is a *e,2,ased resource that pro%ides information a,out pu,lic and secondary educational documents translated into non2English languages ,y California educational agencies$ De%eloped ,y the CDE, the C;D helps districts and county offices to locate useful translations of parental notification documents and reduce redundant translation efforts$ 'n so doing, the C;D helps schools to meet state and federal reuirements for document translation and parental notification, including the reuirements in "C F4D45, the 0C!& Act of 2001, and other legislation$ ;ore information is a%aila,le at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ls9pf9cm9. %,AFFI:A $5 Are the Bilingual Cross*cultural Language and Academic De/elopment 3BCLAD4@ Cross*cultural Language and Academic De/elopment 3CLAD4@ or their equi/alent authoriCations required to teach ELs" Ees$ The type of authoriBation reuired depends on the type of instruction pro%ided to E!s$ ;ore information is a%aila,le at http:99www$ctc$ca$go%$ $1 Does California state la- require that teachers of ELs attain authoriCation to pro/ide instruction to ELs" Ees$ +pecific reuirements are pro%ided in the CDEAs 8A.s for Teacher AuthoriBation for E!s in California at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9sp9el9t@$ $# Do the 8ighly Qualified ,eachers Credentialing 9equirements for ELs also apply to ,eachers from A(road" Ees$ -ut2of2state and foreign nationals must fully meet the 7ighly .ualified Credentialing /euirements$ 8oreign nationals ha%e one year to pass the California &asic Educational +kills Test$ During the first year in California they are considered highly ualified if they are eligi,le and apply for any of the appro%ed California Commission on Teacher Credentialing credentials$ 8ederal law reuires that I21 %isa e)change %isitors return to their home country after three years$ During the first year in California, foreign nationals may o,tain the emergency &C!AD authoriBation to work with E!s in regular classroom settings and some special education assignments$ +ince most of the teachers are <not new= to the profession, they ,enefit from the 7igh -,3ecti%e Cniform +tate +tandards of E%aluation "7-C++E# options$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age D of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 7-C++E options, as currently esta,lished, are effecti%e until Iune @0, 200H$ 8or more information regarding 7ighly .ualified Teachers Credentialing /euirements and 7-C++E, %isit http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ncl,9sr9t9$ ,esting@ Assessment and Accounta(ility $$ !hat is the California ELD ,est" 8ederal and state laws reuire a state test of English language proficiency that school districts must gi%e to students who are E!s$ The California test is called the CE!DT$ All students whose primary language is not English must take the test within @0 calendar days after they are enrolled in a California pu,lic school for the first time$ The CE!DT also must ,e gi%en once each year to E!s until they are reclassified as fluent English proficient$ ;ore information on the CE!DT is a%aila,le at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ta9tg9el9resources$asp$ $& !hat is the purpose of the CELD," The purpose of the CE!DT is: "1# to identify new students who are E!s, in kindergarten through grade twel%eG "2# to determine their le%el of English proficiencyG "@# to monitor their progress in learning English on an annual ,asisG and "F# to determine when students ha%e met one of the criteria to ,e reclassified to 8E( status$ The Assistance (acket for +chool Districts9+chools includes facts a,out the CE!DT, release dates of test results, CE!DT accommodations, reclassification, and communicating results with parents9guardians$ 't is a%aila,le at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ta9tg9el9resources$asp$ $) Can parents opt to ha/e their students e>empted from taking the CELD," 0o$ (arents cannot <opt out= of the CE!DT ,ecause English language proficiency assessment is ,oth a federal "0C!& Title '$ section 1111>,?>H? and Title ''', 2002# and state reuirement ""C @1@#$ $+ Are ELs required to take the tests in the %tandardiCed ,esting and 9eporting 3%,A94 program" Ees$ All students in grades two through ele%en participate in the +TA/ program, including students with disa,ilities and students who are E!s$ 'n addition to the tests administered in English, all +panish2speaking E!s who ha%e ,een enrolled in a school in the Cnited +tates for less than 12 months or who recei%e instruction in +panish regardless of how long they ha%e ,een in school in the Cnited +tates, must take the designated primary language test "D(!T#, currently the Aprenda @ ""C 606F0#$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 10 of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 +tudents whose parents or guardians ha%e su,mitted written reuests to e)empt them from +TA/ program testing do not take any tests ""C 60615#$ ;ore information is a%aila,le at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ta9tg9sr$ +tandards2&ased Tests in +panish "+T+# for reading9language arts and mathematics are currently ,eing de%eloped for grades two, three, and four, and field testing is anticipated for fall of 2006$ The tests are to replace the D(!T "Aprenda @# as each grade ,ecomes operational$ The +T+ ,lueprints, appro%ed ,y the +&E, can ,e %iewed at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ta9tg9sr9resources$asp$ 8or more information on the California Assessment +ystem, a chart is a%aila,le at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ta9tg9sa9caassessment$asp$
$. !hat assistance can (e pro/ided to ELs -hen taking the tests in the %,A9 programJ E!s may use translation glossaries or word lists "English2to2primary language# that do not include definitions or formulas for all su,3ects, e)cept English2language arts$ They also may ha%e the test directions translated for them and ask clarifying uestions in their own language for all su,3ects, including English2language arts$ These %ariations are descri,ed on the last page of the ;atri) of Test 6ariations, Accommodations and ;odifications for Administration of California +tatewide Assessments a%aila,le at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ta9tg9sr$ $1 8o- can districts e/aluate ELs to get a comprehensi/e /ie- of the student?s academic standing" To get a comprehensi%e %iew of a studentAs academic standing, districts should utiliBe all a%aila,le standardiBed assessments "i$e$ +TA/ results, CE!DT results, Aprenda @ results, +T+ results, etc$# as well as district assessments, academic coursework, and rele%ant program information$ The goal should ,e to monitor studentAs progress to ensure students are gaining English proficiency and impro%ing their academic knowledge$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 11 of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 &5 !hat are Annual 'easura(le Achie/ement <(Decti/es 3A'A<s4" Title ''' reuires that states hold !EAs accounta,le for meeting three A;A-s for E!s$ The A;A-s were appro%ed ,y the +&E$ The first A;A- relates to making annual progress on the CE!DT, the second relates to attaining English proficiency, and the third A;A- relates to meeting Adeuate Eearly (rogress ,y the E! su,group$ 8or more information regarding Title ''', %isit http:99www$cde$ca$go%9sp9el9t@9t@amaotargets$asp$ %,EDE:,% !I,8 DI%ABILI,IE% "+pecial education and +ection 50F Accommodation (lan students# &1 !ill a student?s Indi/idualiCed Education Program 3IEP4 or )5& Accommodation Plan take precedence o/er pro/isions of Proposition ##." Ees$ The reuirements in a studentAs 'E( or +ection 50F Accommodation (lan are federal legal reuirements and take precedence o%er the pro%isions of (roposition 22H$ 'f either plan calls for primary language instruction, the student does not need a parental e)ception wai%er to recei%e such instruction$ +tate and federal law reuire that E!s with an 'E( or a federal 50F Accommodation (lan continue to recei%e the programs and ser%ices that address the studentAs special needs, including linguistically appropriate goals and o,3ecti%es$ At a minimum, instructional and linguistic ser%ices must include the pro%ision of E!D and full access to the core curriculum as specified in the studentAs written program or plan$ &# !hat ser/ices and types of instruction must ELs recei/e -hen follo-ing an IEP or a %ection )5& Accommodation Plan" An 'E( or +ection Accommodation 50F teams must determine which ser%ices are appropriate for E!s, ,ased on their particular disa,ilities and le%el of English proficiency$ /egardless of ser%ices prescri,ed, E!s must also recei%e E!D instruction$ &$ For ELs -ith an IEP or %ection )5& Accommodation Plan@ are parent notifications@ administration of assessments@ and e/aluation results only to (e pro/ided in English" 0o$ +tate and federal law continue to reuire that parent notifications for E!s ,e pro%ided in the parentAs primary language unless it is not practica,le$ +tudent assessments must ,e conducted in the studentAs primary language$ 'f it is clearly not feasi,le or appropriate, the student must still recei%e %alid alternati%e assessments$ The results of the assessments must ,e presented 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 12 of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 to the parents in a language that they can understand "CC/, Title 5, sections @0F0 >,? and "C 56@20>a?#$ && !ho should refer an EL for %pecial Education and under -hat circumstances" All instructional personnel are responsi,le for referring an E! student through the locally adopted referral process if a disa,ility is suspected$ (arents may also reuest an assessment in writing$ 'E( teams must determine whether an E! student meets the eligi,ility criteria for special education and reuires special education and related ser%ices in order to ,enefit from this educational program$ A determination that the learning difficulty is not the result of cultural or linguistic di%ersity is also made$ +tudents should not ,e referred for special education solely on the ,asis that they do not understand or are limited in their a,ility to understand English$ To do so would %iolate ,oth state and federal laws which protect the educational rights of these children$ &) !hat credentials or qualifications are required for teachers of ELs -ith disa(ilities" All linguistic and academic ser%ices for E!s with disa,ilities descri,ed in their 'E(s or +ection 50F Accommodation (lans must ,e pro%ided ,y ualified teachers who ha%e credentials that authoriBe instruction to students with disa,ilities and E!s$ +pecial education instruction must ,e pro%ided ,y: "1# a teacher with ,oth a special education and the appropriate E! credential or certificate "&C!AD, C!AD, +& 1D6D, or +& 2D1@#G or "2# ,y a team of teachers with the appropriate credentials$ <,8E9 QEE%,I<:%
&+ !hat is the Language Census 39*$54" 't is an annual data collection on students with non2English language ,ackgrounds$ 't includes data pertaining to E! and 8E( students, instructional settings, staff who pro%ide ser%ices to E!s and other related information$ "CC/, Title 5, section 1@0H#$ 8reuently asked uestions are a%aila,le at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ds9dc9lc$ &. Are school and district English Learner Ad/isory Committees required" Ees$ These committees are still reuired and their legal responsi,ilities remain unchanged "CC/, Title 5, section 11@04#$ &1 Does the CDE re/ie- districts? compliance -ith EL regulations" 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 1@ of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 All schools are su,3ect to re%iew through the Categorical (rogram ;onitoring$ ;ore information is a%aila,le at http:99www$cde$ca$go%9ta9cr9cc. &2 Are schools still required to pro/ide information to parents in their primary language" Ees$ *hen 15 percent or more of the pupils enrolled in the school speak a single primary language other than English, all notices, reports, statements, or records sent ,y the school or district to the parent9guardian of any such pupil must, in addition to ,eing written in English, ,e written in such primary language, and may ,e responded to ,y the parent or guardian in English or in the primary language$ 'n addition, federal law reuires that schools and districts pro%ide information in an understanda,le format and to the e)tent practica,le in a language that is understanda,le to the parent, regardless of percentage of students that speak a language other than English ""C F4D45G 0C!& 1111>h?>6?>C? and @@02 >c?#$ )5 !hen is the use of primary language permitted for instruction for pre* school for ELs" There are no statutory pro%isions that address the use of the primary language in programs designed for pre2school pupils$ !EAs, unless reuired ,y the legal pro%isions of a specific funding source, ha%e fle)i,ility in deciding the use of instructional approaches that use the primary language as a medium of instruction or the o,3ecti%e of instruction$ )1 'ay ELs participate in 9eading First" /egardless of program placement, any E! student may participate in /eading 8irst$ The program is a%aila,le in English and has two parallel %ersions in +panish "oro 2$ierto and 6e!tura#$ 't should ,e noted that the goal of /eading 8irst is to ha%e students reading at grade le%el in English ,y the end of grade three$ 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 1F of 15 California Department of Education August 21, 2006 AC9<:F'% A'A<G Annual 'easura(le Achie/ement <(Decti/e BCLADG Bilingual cross*cultural language and academic de/elopment CELD,G California English Language De/elopment ,est CLADG Cross*cultural language and academic de/elopment DELACG District English learner ad/isory committee EIA*LEPG Economic impact aid*limited*English proficient ELG English Learner ELDG English language de/elopment ELACG English learner ad/isory committee FEPG Fluent*English proficient I*FEPG Initial fluent*English proficient LEPG Limited*English proficient L1 G Primary language 9*FEPG 9edesignated fluent*English proficient 9*$5G Annual Language Census 9eport 3form 9$5*LC4 %DAIEG %pecially*designed academic instruction in English %EIG %tructured English immersion %,%G %tandards*Based ,est in %panish 8reuently Asked .uestions "8A.s# for E!s in California (age 15 of 15