It can be complicated and challenging to determine whether your child is making a normal development towards language competency and what they need to do to be reclassified as fluent and proficient in the language when they are still learning it. This is a brief overview of how schools identify children as English learners, what resources they must offer to support kids in their language learning, the factors they take into account when reclassifying pupils as proficient in the language, and the significance of reclassification.
Why was my kid put in the English learner category?
When a kid first enrols in school, their parents or guardians are asked to complete a survey regarding the language the child learnt their first language, the language the child uses most often at home, and the language the parent or guardian uses most frequently when communicating with the child.
In the event that the student’s family speaks a language other than English, the school is required to evaluate the student’s proficiency in the language within 30 days of enrollment using the English Language Proficiency Assessment of California. The exam assesses students’ proficiency in spoken English, reading, writing, and comprehending.
According to the test results, the school labels a child as “initial fluent English proficient” if they can write, speak, listen, and read English at an age-appropriate level. The school labels a student as an English learner if the test results indicate that they are not proficient in speaking, listening, reading, and writing the language at an age-appropriate level.
Until the school certifies that a student has attained English proficiency, those who are labelled as English learners are required to retake the ELPAC every spring.
What kind of instruction is required for English language learners in the school?
It is mandatory for schools to offer English language development education to students who are learning the language.
English language development needs to be given in the classroom during scheduled English language development time (also known as integrated ELD) as well as during other subject-specific classes. The state expects schools to make decisions based on the needs of their pupils, not on a set number of minutes.
When will my child’s English proficiency be determined by the school?
Four reclassification criteria must be applied by schools in order to determine a student’s level of English proficiency. Students need to receive an overall ELPAC score of 4, or 3 on the Alternate ELPAC if they have severe cognitive difficulties.
The district or charter school must also take into account the parent’s viewpoint and the teacher’s appraisal, as well as the student’s performance in academic disciplines like arithmetic and English language arts in comparison to peers who speak English. Every district or charter school establishes its own standards for gauging the final three factors.
What happens if my child takes longer to pick up English?
Students will be labelled as long-term English learners if it takes them more than six years to be reclassified. Long-term English language learners frequently experience academic difficulties because, although they are fluent in the language, they still struggle with writing and reading academic English.
English language development lessons must be offered by the school to students who are still categorised as English learners. They might not have time in their schedules to enrol in Advanced Placement courses or elective programmes like music and art if they are in middle or high school.
When my child is reclassified, what will happen?
A student is no longer regarded as an English learner and is not obliged to enrol in English language development lessons when they are classed as “fluent English proficient.” For the following four years, the child’s school must continue to keep an eye on their academic progress.
My youngster is a part of an immersion programme that is dual-language. How will that impact their acquisition of the English language?
Studies have indicated that dual-language immersion courses can be highly beneficial for students’ English language acquisition. Although it can take longer for pupils in these programmes to learn the language, by the time they graduate from elementary school, a higher percentage of them have fluency in the language than students in English-only programmes.
Dual-language immersion programmes also assist students in remaining multilingual by teaching them to read and write in their native tongue for academic purposes.
As a parent, what steps can I take to ensure that my child is learning English?
Check the ELPAC scores for your child, which ought either arrive in the mail or be accessible via an online district site. Focus on each of the four components: speaking, writing, listening, and reading.
Discuss with your child’s teacher how they are doing in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English, as well as what areas they need to improve on and the type of English language instruction they are getting at school.
Inquire about the date of the ELPAC and emphasise to your child the significance of giving it their all on this test. Students can grow weary of taking the test, especially as they get older, and they don’t comprehend the significance of performing well on it in order to be categorised as competent English speakers.
