1 Parent involvement is most successful when it is viewed, practice and promoted as a partnership between the home and the school. Resource: California Strategic Plan for the Education of Parent Involvement.

English Learner Advisory Committee Norma H. Gomez, Parent/Family Involvement Coordinator San Diego County Office of Education DELAC

3 What I know What I want to learn What I learned

4 LAWPROCESSLAWPROCESS U.S. Department of Education State Department of Education County Office of Education School District Federal Government State Legislature Classrooms School

5 Foreword: Federal Laws The 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution (Equal Opportunities) prohibits the denial of equal protection under the law by the States to anyone.

6 Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on language status. Foreword: Federal Laws

7 An Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Memorandum dated May 25, 1970 requires Districts to take appropriate measures to remedy deficiencies in the use of the English language in order to offer all the students an effective participation in educational programs. Foreword: Federal Laws

8 The 1974 Equal Educational Opportunities Act reinforced the May 25, 1970 OCR Memorandum and requires school Districts to take special measures for teaching English learners. Foreword: Federal Laws

9 State Laws State Constitution: Equal Protection Clause Education Code CA Code of Regulations. Title V (5CCR)

10 When does a DELAC Committee need to be established?

11 When there are 51 or more English learners at a school district there shall be a functioning DELAC.

12 DELAC Responsibilities Advise the district governing board (in person and/or in writing) on the following: 1.Development or revision of a district master plan of education programs and services for English learners, taking into consideration the Single School Plans for Student Achievement.

13 2.Conducting a district-wide needs assessment on a school-by-school basis. DELAC Responsibilities

14 3.Establishment of district program, goals, and objectives for programs and services for English learners (e.g., parental exception waivers and funding). DELAC Responsibilities

15 4.Development of a plan to ensure compliance with any applicable teacher and instructional aide requirements. DELAC Responsibilities

16 5.Administration of the annual language census (R-30 LC Report, procedures, forms….) DELAC Responsibilities

17 6.Review and comment on the district reclassification procedures established pursuant to education Code Section DELAC Responsibilities

18 7.Review and comment on the written notifications required to be sent to parents and guardians on the initial registration, school events, and program options pursuant to Education Code. Education Code Section and Title 5, CCR, Subchapter 4, Section DELAC Responsibilities

19 8.Any waiver request affecting programs and services for English learners. DELAC Responsibilities

20 Essential DELAC Criteria 1.Parents or guardians of English learners not employed by the district must constitute a majority membership of the committee.

21 Essential DELAC Criteria 2.Each school English learner advisory committee (ELAC) must have the opportunity to elect at least one parent member to the DELAC. If the district has 31 or more ELACs, it may use a system of proportional or regional representation.

22 3.The committee advises the governing board. 4.DELAC members receive appropriate training which includes materials to assist each member to carry out his or her required legal responsibilities. 5.The training is always planned in full consultation with DELAC members. Essential Criterias of DELAC

23 California ED Code/Section (SB 355 Greene) Meetings must be open to the public and allow for public input. Meeting notice and agenda must be posted at least 72 hours before the meeting. Notice/agenda must be posted at school site and/or other appropriate place accessible to the public. DELAC Requirements: SB 355

24 Notice/agenda must include date, time, and location of meeting and the items to be discussed or acted upon. Action cannot be taken on items not posted on agenda, UNLESS an unanimous vote finds a need for immediate action. Public must be provided access to all materials discussed and/or distributed at the meeting. DELAC Requirements: SB 355

25 Suggestions to support ELAC groups

26 Unity creates power and by working together the parents with the educators, we can ensure a quality learning environment for our English Learners.

27 Norma H. Gómez Parent & Family Involvement Coordinator San Diego County Office Of Education 6401 Linda Vista Rd; San Diego, CA Office: Fax: