Decmber 2008 Parent Involvement Title III Master Plan Institute Language Acquisition Branch

Decmber 2008

Parents, staff, students, and the community members are partners in education Dimension I – Involvement

Decmber 2008 Objectives 1. Articulate the requirements for English learner (EL) parent outreach 2. Explain the requirements for maintaining a functioning English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Decmber 2008 Objective 1 Articulate the requirements for EL parent outreach

Decmber 2008 EL Instrument

Decmber 2008 I-EL 1. Outreach to parents of ELs includes: Sending notice of and holding regular meetings to formulate and respond to parent recommendations How to Involve Parents

Decmber 2008 Documenting EL 1a A binder containing all correspondence to parents should be kept on file in the school’s main office The binder must contain: Correspondence written in English and a language the parent can understand (15% rule) Minutes/notes of parent meetings, if applicable Handouts distributed to parents

Decmber 2008 Outreach to parents of ELs includes: Informing parents of how to be involved in the education of their child and be active participants in assisting their child to: Attain English proficiency Achieve at high levels in core subjects Meet state standards expected of all students EL 1b – Informing EL Parents

Decmber 2008 Examples of opportunities to inform parents: ELAC monthly meetings Regularly scheduled meetings for ALL EL parents Other advisory committee meetings Back-to-School Night Math & Science Night Coffee With the Principal EL 1b – Informing EL Parents

Decmber 2008 Parent Correspondence “...learn about their child’s instructional program, meeting grade level standards...”

Decmber 2008 Announcements for EL parent meetings (must include date and time) Agendas Sign-ins Copies of training materials provided Minutes/notes, if applicable Documenting EL 1b Examples of documentation include:

Decmber 2008 Outreach to parents of ELs includes: EL 1c – Parent Notification Sending notice to EL parents when the District has not made progress on its Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAO) no later than 30 days after such failure occurs

Decmber 2008 Title III Parent Notification LEA not meeting AMAO #3 Identifies the AMAOs AMAOs not met

Decmber 2008 Notice must be sent out to all EL parents no later than October 3rd

Decmber 2008 Keep on file: AMAO Notification School Certification form Title III Parent Notification letter List of students who received letter Documenting EL 1c

Decmber 2008 Objective 2 Explain the requirements for maintaining a functioning ELAC

Decmber 2008 EL Instrument

Decmber 2008 Schools with 21 or more ELs must have a functioning ELAC that meets state and federal requirements EL 2 - ELAC

Decmber 2008 Replaces BUL-1231 Handout 1

Decmber 2008 Reading Activity: Jigsaw 1. Count-off from 1 to 6 2. Read the section of text found in BUL that corresponds to your number 3. During reading, complete the Activity Sheet Jigsaw for the corresponding numbered section (7 min.) 4. “Section Experts” share key points with team (10 min.) 5. Use the shared information to complete your Activity Sheet Jigsaw 6. Whole group share-out BUL Jigsaw HANDOUT 1 HANDOUT 2 6

Decmber 2008 Parent members are elected by parents or guardians of ELs EL 2a – Parent Members Public notice for elections must: state the purpose and time of the meeting be given at least 10 working days prior to meeting Elections must take place by: the last Wednesday of August for year-round schools the second Wednesday of October for single-track schools

Decmber 2008 Documenting EL 2a ELAC binder must contain: Election Certification Forms EL Advisory Council Meeting Roster (eligible EL Parents) List of ELAC officers and members with EL student’s name Orientation and Election Announcements sent to parents (include date sent) ELAC

Decmber 2008 Parents of ELs constitute at least the same percentage of the committee membership as their children represent of the student body EL 2b – Committee Membership

Decmber 2008 Composition of ELAC 51% or more parents of EL students (not employed by District) 49% or less teachers, classified, paraprofessionals, community members School-Site ELAC Minimum of 9 Members School-site ELAC Other MembersParent Members The school’s bylaws determine the composition of ELAC

Decmber 2008 Composition of ELAC Committee composition must be: at least equal to or greater than the percentage of ELs at the school composed of a minimum of 9 members with no fewer than 5 parent-members Once the 51 percent requirement has been met, the remaining composition may vary

Decmber 2008 Documenting EL 2b Election Certification Forms (Section IV, C) Data showing the % of ELs enrolled at school Master Plan/EL Monitoring Rosters

Decmber 2008 Officers of the Committee Any member of the ELAC is eligible to be an officer of the Committee, with the exception of the … RepresentativeAlternateChairpersonVice-chairperson … who must be parents of ELs, not employed by the district.

Decmber 2008 The school may designate an existing school level advisory committee, or subcommittee of such advisory committee to fulfill the legal responsibilities of ELAC, if the advisory body meets the criteria in EL2b EL 2c – Delegation of Authority Consolidation is not possible when: Elementary schools have an EL population of more than 50% Secondary schools have an EL population of more than 25%

Decmber 2008 What do you do after elections?

Decmber 2008 Preparing Parents for ELAC Responsibility

Decmber 2008 The ELAC advises the principal and staff on the school’s program for ELs EL 2e – ELAC Advises the Principal

Decmber 2008 LAB Elementary School ELAC recommends administrators monitor daily ELD instruction. ELAC requests administrators provide an update on the monitoring and consistency of ELD instruction. Too many English learners are staying at the same ELD level for 1 year or more August 20, 2008 X Instructional Programs for ELs X SAMPLE Monitoring ELD Instruction

Decmber 2008 The ELAC has received training materials and training, planned in full consultation with committee members The school must consult with ELAC members to determine training needs EL 2g – ELAC Receives Training

Decmber 2008 Training Topics for Parents Legally Required Topics __________________ Should Do Topics _______________________ Language Census (R-30) Advise SSC on SPSA Needs Assessment Importance of School Attendance Master Plan for ELs Instructional Programs for ELs Teacher Authorization Parental Waivers EL Assessments & Data Reclassification Initial Identification Process Language Appraisal Team ELD Curriculum & Strategies ELD Assessment Portfolios Parental Notifications

Decmber 2008 Documenting EL 2g ELAC planning meeting minutes/notes explicitly describe discussions and how members were consulted regarding training needs Agendas – “Planning for ELAC Training” Copies of training materials Sign-in sheets

Decmber 2008 Now that parents are informed... Parents must: make recommendations Before they can make recommendations, parents need: training on HOW TO make recommendations

Decmber 2008

The recommendation form: must be used for recommendations/advice pertaining to the four legally required topics may be used for other recommendations/advice given by the ELAC Handout 3 NOTE: Minutes must reflect specific recommendations made by parents

Decmber 2008 EL 2h – DELAC Participation One parent representative per 5,000 EL students The ELAC has the opportunity to elect at least one member to the DELAC Each Local District ELAC elects representatives and alternates to serve on the DELAC proportionate to the EL student population of the District

Decmber 2008 Information was shared by Carmen Tavitian, Specialist, from the Language Acquisition Branch on EL monitoring. The Notification of Findings from the March 2008 CPM results were shared. Ms. Tavitian explained each noncompliant item... LAB Elementary August 20, 8 Richard Ycaza Representative

Decmber 2008 Four Legally Required Topics

Decmber 2008 Documentation must demonstrate that ELAC members actively advise on the four legally required topics

Decmber 2008 ELAC Advises the SSC ELAC must review the: SPSA sections that pertain to ELs and update the plan, if needed Title III and EIA-LEP budget allocations to ensure both are aligned to SPSA Action Plan to ensure that ELs’ needs are being met – propose revisions, if needed

Decmber 2008 The ELAC has advised the School Site Council (SSC) on the development of the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) EL 2d – ELAC Advises the SSC Legally Required Topic #1

Decmber 2008 Documenting EL 2d

Decmber 2008 LAB Elementary School ELAC recommends budgeting more money for after-school intervention services for English learners English learners at ELD levels 1 and 2 are not making adequate progress by moving 1 or more levels per year August 20, 2008 X SPSA – Action Plan X SAMPLE Intervention for ELs Not Making Progress

Decmber 2008 The ELAC assists in the development of the school’s: Needs assessment Language census (R-30) Efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance EL 2f – ELAC Assists… Legally Required Topics # 2, 3, and 4

Decmber 2008 Needs Assessment

Decmber 2008 NOTE: May be used as a sample, parents can recommend modifications, or adopt this form as is

Decmber 2008 Information to Share With Parents Discuss: How parents feel as members and stakeholders of the school community Parent information, training, and assistance available Home-school communication Parent volunteer program How to help your child at home Committees and councils Community resources and partnerships Parent recommendations for the Needs Assessment must be reflected in minutes

Decmber 2008 LAB Elementary School ELAC approves Sections 1-5, but would like to revise Section 6, Collaborating with the Community, to include questions about community agencies making presentations to parents Many parents of English learners are not familiar with community agencies and the services they offer and would like more information. August 20, 2008 X Needs Assessment X SAMPLE Develop the Needs Assessment

Decmber 2008 Language Census (R-30)

Decmber 2008 Language Census (R-30) The R30 organizes information into 5 parts: 1. The number of ELs and fluent-English-proficient students (FEPs) 2. The type of instructional setting and instructional services for ELs 3. The total for ELs reclassified since the previous R30 4. The number of parental waivers from English language classrooms 5. Teachers and bilingual paraprofessionals who provide EL instructional services

Decmber 2008 R-30 Recommendation Process Parents:  review R30 data from the current year, as well as past years*  discuss concerns based on R30 data  make recommendations  record recommendations in ELAC minutes and on ELAC Recommendation Form *Recommendation: review data for past 3 years

Decmber 2008 Students Reclassified:

Decmber 2008 Parent Recommendation Too many eligible students not reclassifying Want to increase reclassification rate by 2% each year Not all parents are aware of the reclassification criteria and process Why?Outcome Teacher* meets with parents each reporting period to discuss reclassification Increase reclassification rates Targeted instruction and support provided to students Build capacity of teachers and parents Recommendation: Promote positive relationship between teachers and parents *Teacher/EL Coordinator/Counselor

Decmber 2008 LAB Elementary School ELAC recommends teachers of students who are potentially eligible to reclassify meet with parents at least once each reporting period to discuss criteria, intervention opportunities and how to support students at home. Too many eligible English learners are not reclassifying. Parents of ELs must be informed about reclassification and understand how to provide support at home. January 10, 2008 X R-30 Language Census X SAMPLE Reclassification

Decmber 2008 Student Attendance

Decmber 2008

Information to Share With Parents Review and include copies of: School’s Student Attendance Data attendance patterns and share concerns Student Attendance Policy Parent Student Handbook, excerpt on “Attendance” Letters to parents regarding attendance Student Attendance Reward Programs Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) Student attendance is a must!

Decmber 2008

LAB Elementary School ELAC recommends 1) stricter punishment for tardiness, 2) continue Operation Bright Future Annual Parent Meeting, twice a year, and 3) increase PSA time to 5 days instead of just 3 so that calls home can be made to parents. School did not meet ADA requirements. April 19, 2007 X Importance of School Attendance X SAMPLE Importance of Student Attendance

Decmber 2008 Documenting ELAC

Decmber 2008 Getting Organized ELAC binder should be organized as follows: Tab 1 – Orientation and Elections Election Certification Forms Orientation and Election Announcements sent to parents List of ELAC officers and members with EL student’s name Roster of EL Advisory Council Meeting (eligible EL Parents) Monthly Tabs Meeting Announcement Agenda Minutes ELAC Recommendation Form (copy) Copies of materials distributed to parents for each agenda topic discussed ELAC

Decmber 2008 ELAC Agendas Monthly agendas must: explicitly describe the agenda topic match what is documented in ELAC minutes If topic is listed on the agenda but not covered, indicate this in the minutes

Decmber 2008

Objectives 1. Articulate the requirements for English learners (ELs) parent outreach 2. Explain the requirements for maintaining a functioning English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Decmber 2008 Resources BUL AMAO Title III Parent Notification of English Learners Guidelines BUL Advisory Committees and School Site Councils Instructional Programs for English Learners, Elementary School Guide Instructional Programs for English Learners, Secondary School Guide