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

2 ELAC English Learner Advisory Committee Norma H. Gómez, Parent/Family Involvement Coordinator San Diego County Office of Education

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 anybody.

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

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

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

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

10 When does an ELAC Committee need to be established?

11 When there are 21 or more English learners at a school there shall be a functioning ELAC. EC ;5 CCR 4312

12 ELAC Responsibilities Advise the principal and the staff on: The school’s program for Els. Advise the SSC on: The development of the Single School Plan for Student Achievement

13 ELAC Responsibilities Assist the school principal and staff on: The school’s needs assessment. The school’s annual language census (R-30 LC Report). Efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.

14 ELAC: Essential Criteria 1.The percentage of parents of English learners on the committee must be at least the same as that of English learners at the school. 2.Parents or guardians of English learners elect parent members of the school committee or subcommittee.

15 ELAC: Essential Criteria 3.All parents shall be provided the opportunity to vote for committee members. 4.The committee shall have the opportunity to elect at least one parent member to the DELAC. 5.Receives continuous training to help parents carry out their responsibilities.

16 ELAC: Essential Criteria 6.The committee receives appropriate information and materials to allow members to carry out their required legal responsibilities. a)After forming, training, and electing a DELAC representative, the ELAC members may delegate their legal responsibilities to another existing school committee. 7. The training is always planned in full consultation with ELAC members.

17 ELAC: Requirements of SB 355 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 and agenda must be posted at the school site or other appropriate place accessible to the public.

18 Notice and 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. The public must be provided access to all materials discussed and/or distributed at the meeting. ELAC: Requirements of SB 355

19 Characteristics of an Effective ELAC 1.Has clear understanding of ELAC purpose and functions. 2.Meets on a regular basis. 3.Plans ahead. 4.Communicates with principal, staff, SSC and school community. 5.Develops by-laws, agendas and minutes.

20 ELAC Benefits 1.It is a means for receiving training. 2.It is a means for receiving information on programs and their effectiveness. 3.It is a way for parents to participate.

21 ELAC Benefits 4.It is a way to become aware of student academic progress. 5.It a way to make key questions regarding education themes and issues. 6.It is a way exercise leadership before the principal, school staff and students.

22 Suggestions to support ELAC groups

23 Unity creates power, and by working together, parents and educators, we can ensure a quality learning environment for our English learners.

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