English Learner Advisory Committee Training Material Revised August

English Learner Advisory Committee Training Material Revised August 2018

English Learner Advisory Committee l Antioch Unified School District provides parents of English Learners opportunities to be active participants in assisting their children to achieve academically.

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) l When there are 21 or more English Learners at a school there shall be a functioning ELAC. EC 62002. 5 and 5 CCR 11308

English Learners at each school 2017 -2018

ELAC Membership The ELAC is composed of a minimum of the following members: 1. The principal or other school administrator appointed by the principal 2. Parents/guardians of English Learners and other parents selected by the parents/guardians of English Learners. (minimum of 3 parents)

ELAC Membership l l l In addition to the principal, teachers or staff members can also be appointed by the principal to form part of the ELAC. The % of parents of English Learners on the committee must represent the % of English Learners in the school population. Parents must always be the majority in the committee.

Forming the Committee l l l Before the first meeting, nominations are solicited from parents for any open positions to form the ELAC. (Membership is a two year term) Ballots with the names of the parents who wish to be part of the ELAC are sent to all parents/guardians of English Learners for their vote. Upon return, ballots are counted and member names posted. Selected parents are notified.

At the First Meeting l l Nominations for officers are solicited if the minimum number of parents to form the ELAC has been reached. Officers are elected from the ELAC members and by members only Three parents to hold offices of: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary are needed. Chairperson must be a parent.

ELAC Officers: Chairperson: l. Presides at all meetings l. Confers with the principal or other administrator to create meeting agendas l. Represents the school at the DELAC meetings Vice-Chairperson l. Assumes chairperson’s duties when Chairperson is absent Secretary l. Takes notes at meetings l. Collaborates with principal or designee in preparing minutes l. Maintains file of agendas and meeting minutes

Meeting Notification l The school must notify all parents/guardians of English Learners the dates of the ELAC meetings 72 hours in advance. (posting agenda required only) – Agenda(s) posted in English and Spanish stating l l – – Date of member nominations and elections New business items School newsletter, website, or marquee Blackboard Connect Communication (English and Spanish)

ELAC Meetings Open to the Public l l l ELAC meetings are public meetings that adhere to the Brown Act. Parents, staff, and anyone else who may wish to attend are welcome. However, business is conducted by the members of the ELAC Committee only. – – – Public comment time is required by law Each speaker is limited to 2 minutes per subject ELAC members do not need to respond

Open to the Public l The ELAC needs to meet a minimum of 4 times a year, and more frequently if determined necessary by the committee (vote) or principal, in order to carry out legally -mandated responsibilities.

Responsibilities of the ELAC l l l The ELAC will advise the school site council (SSC) on the development of the Single Plan for Student Achievement as it pertains to English Learners. The ELAC will advise the principal and staff on the school’s program for English learners. The ELAC will assist in the development of the school’s: a) Annual Needs assessment b) Efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance. (EC 62002. 5, 52176[6])

Organizing ELAC Meetings ü ü ü ü Principal and Chairperson confer on writing the agenda Committee members have an opportunity at each meeting to suggest agenda topics for the next meeting Clearly written agendas, with person responsible and time allocation for each item Agendas are sent to committee members before the meeting Chairperson conducts the meeting under the direction of the principal Provide childcare and translation when needed Adhere to ELAC By-laws as guided by DELAC

ELAC Suggestions Ø Ø Ø Plan meeting at a time when parents can attend A reminder call to committee members day before meeting suggested Have snacks with the meeting Have special presentations: guest speakers/teachers/students Include on the agenda necessary topics required by law and at least one topic of intense interest to parents

Suggested Calendar for ELAC meetings in order to cover all legally mandated topics l September/October: September/October Election of members and new annual officers. Review of ELAC Bylaws. l November: Overview of school services for ELs including parent waivers for Bilingual Alternative Program. Review of letters sent to parents of English Learners including CELDT, Standardized testing, and information about school plan. Inform parents of District Program Improvement or school status. l December/ January: Plan activities to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance and report cards.

Suggested Calendar for ELAC meetings in order to cover all legally mandated topics l February: Review school academic performance data for English Learners. Review/comment on school’s needs assessment, including questions parents would like to see in the assessment. l March: Review and revise plan for English Learners: classes, support, interventions. l April/May: Standardized test, needs assessment, end of year acknowledgements.

DELAC Involvement l The ELAC Chairperson becomes the voting DELAC member and attends District meetings to gather information to share with site ELAC. l The ELAC officers receive training to assist members in carrying out their legal responsibilities.

ELAC and SSC l The ELAC may vote to turn its responsibilities over to the school site council But only after … 1 -All members have been elected and the ELAC is fully formed. 2 -The ELAC has been trained by the District

ELAC and SSC l l An ELAC must be formed again every two years to reconsider the school site council option The SSC appoints one member to the DELAC The SSC must cover all the topics required of ELAC Minutes from the SSC where ELAC topics are covered will be forwarded to the English Learner Services Dept. at the District office.

What to do after the meeting l Follow up on parents’ requests l Send copies of the agenda, sign in sheets, and minutes of each meeting to the District office. l Save sign in sheets, agendas and minutes for your records in a binder.

Unity creates power. By working together (parents and educators), we can ensure quality learning environments for our English Learners.