District and School Site English Language Advisory Committees
Purpose
The District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) and site English Language Advisory Committees (ELAC) are comprised of parents, staff, and community members specifically designated to advise district and school officials on English learner program services. These committees provide the opportunity for parent involvement with the objective of promoting parent participation in their children’s education. Through their involvement in DELAC and ELAC, parents of English Learner (EL) students acquire information in order to understand and voice concerns related to the school system, the District’s English learner programs, and their children’s education. DELAC and ELACs bring all stakeholders together to ensure the academic success of English learner students.
Requirement for DELAC
Each California public school district, grades kindergarten through 12, with 51 or more English learners must form a District-level English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) or subcommittee of an existing district-wide advisory committee.
DELAC Responsibilities
The DELAC shall advise the district's local governing board (e.g., in person, by letters/reports, or through an administrator) on programs and services for English learners. The DELAC shall be responsible for advising the district's local governing board on the following tasks:
· Development or revision of a district master plan of education programs and services for English learners, taking into consideration the Single School Plan for Student Achievement.
· Conducting a district-wide needs assessment on a school-by-school basis.
· Establishment of district programs, goals, and objectives for programs and services for English learners (e.g., parental exception waivers and funding).
· Development of a plan to ensure compliance with any applicable teacher and instructional aide requirements.
· Administration of the annual language census (e.g., procedures and forms).
· Review and comment on the district's reclassification procedures.
· Review and comment on the written notifications required to be sent to parents and guardians.
DELAC Composition Requirements
Parents or guardians of English learners not employed by the district must constitute a majority membership (51 percent or more) of the committee. Each school's English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) must have the opportunity to elect at least one of its members to be a site representative to the DELAC.
DELAC Training
The district shall provide appropriate training and materials to assist each DELAC member to carry out his or her legally required advisory responsibilities. The training will be planned in full consultation with DELAC members. Economic Impact Aid-Limited English Proficient and/or district funds may be used to cover costs of training and attendance of DELAC members. This includes costs for child care, translation services, meals, and other reasonable expenses.
Requirement for ELACs
Each California public school, grades kindergarten through 12, with 21 or more English learners must form an English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).
ELAC Responsibilities
The ELAC shall be responsible for advising the principal and staff on programs and services for English learners and the School Site Council on the development of the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).The ELAC shall assist the school in the development of:
· The school's needs assessment.
· The school's annual language census.
· Ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
ELAC Composition Requirements
Parents of English learners must comprise the same percentage of the ELAC membership as English learners constitute of the school’s total student population. For example, if 25 percent of the students in a school are English learners, then parents/guardians of English learners must comprise 25 percent of the ELAC membership. Other members of the ELAC can be parents/guardians, school staff, and /or community members as long as the minimum percentage requirement for EL parents is maintained. Parents or guardians of English learners must have an opportunity to elect the parent members to serve on the ELAC or subcommittee. Each ELAC shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).
ELAC Training
The district shall provide appropriate training and materials to assist each ELAC member to carry out his or her legally required advisory responsibilities. The training will be 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. This may include costs for child care, translation services, meals, transportation, training cost, and other reasonable expenses.
Legal References
- California Education Code, sections 35147 (c), 52176 (b), and (c), 62002.5, and 64001 (a)
- California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 11308 (b), (c), and (d)
- 20 United States Code Section 6312 (g)(4)
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