Reclassification Process for English Learners. Pablo F. Palacios Support Specialist, English Learner Services Victor Elementary School District

Transcription

1 Reclassification Process for English Learners Pablo F. Palacios Support Specialist, English Learner Services Victor Elementary School District 1

2 Presentation Topics Background Information Reclassification Criteria Initiation of Reclassification Process Placement of Reclassified Students Follow-Up Period Reclassified Students and English Learner Subgroup Final Thoughts 2

3 Background Information 3

4 Clarification of Terms The terms reclassification and redesignation are often used to refer to the same process. Reclassification is the newer and more common term. 4

5 Reclassification is a formal process districts use to reclassify a student from English Learner (EL) status to Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) status. 5

6 When a student has been reclassified, he has demonstrated Englishlanguage proficiency that is comparable to that of grade-level, native-englishspeaking peers. 6

7 A reclassified student should be able to participate equally in the school s regular instructional program without English language development support. 7

8 In VESD, only students in grades 3-6 may be reclassified. Young students who are reclassified prematurely may fall behind academically as a result of not receiving services and as content areas become more demanding in later grades. 8

9 Reclassification Criteria 9

10 The California Department of Education has established that districts shall utilize multiple criteria in determining whether to reclassify a student as proficient in English. 10

11 A district s criteria shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following: Assessment of English Language Proficiency Comparison of Performance in Basic Skills Teacher Evaluation Parent Opinion and Consultation 11

12 VESD s Reclassification Criteria Assessment of English Language Proficiency California English Language Development Test (CELDT) Comparison of Performance in Basic Skills California Standards Test (CST) English Language Arts and Math Teacher Evaluation Report Card and Writing Sample Parent Opinion and Consultation - Meeting 12

13 CELDT Criterion Student must attain scores of 4 or 5 (Early-Advanced or Advanced) overall. No sub-test may be below a 3 (Intermediate). 13

14 CST Criterion Student must attain a score of 3 (Basic) or higher in English Language Arts. Student must attain a score of 3 (Basic) or higher in Math. 14

15 Teacher Evaluation Student report card grades must be at a level 3 or higher in reading, writing, and math (3.0 GPA minimum per section). Student consistently writes at a level 3 or higher on the District Writing Scoring Guide on classroom assignments. 15

16 Parent Opinion and Consultation Parents are to be informed in writing of their right to participate in the reclassification process. 16

17 Initiation of Reclassification Process 17

18 In VESD, the reclassification process may be initiated by the parent, teacher, Bilingual Instructional Assistant or principal. 18

19 The appropriate student academic data is reviewed and recorded on the Reclassification Recommendation form. 19

20 20

21 Parent Opinion and Consultation Parents shall receive a Notification of Reclassification Recommendation inviting them to a face-to-face meeting. 21

22 22

23 The principal, teacher or other designee discusses the findings from the Reclassification Recommendation form with the parent. The school representative should be an individual who is qualified to address questions or concerns during the meeting. 23

24 If the parent agrees with the recommendation to reclassify, his signature is collected on the Reclassification Recommendation form. At this point, the student has formally been exited out of EL status. 24

25 The parent receives a copy of the signed Reclassification Recommendation form. The student is issued a Reclassification Certificate of Achievement. 25

26 26

27 After reclassification, the student s files must be updated to reflect reclassification status (i.e. RFEP, change English proficiency in SchoolMAX, etc.) 27

28 If the parent does NOT agree with the recommendation to reclassify the student, then concerns are discussed and an action plan is developed to address those concerns. The reclassification process is repeated again at a future date. 28

29 Placement of Reclassified Students 29

30 Reclassified students are placed in an English Language Mainstream Program Parents may request that their child be placed in an Alternative Program (instruction is in English and another language) Galileo Academy offers an Alternative Program 30

31 Follow-Up Period 31

32 Reclassified students are monitored for a two-year period. In VESD, a Reclassification Follow-Up form is completed at the beginning of the second trimester each of the two years by the classroom teacher. 32

33 33

34 If a reclassified student is not making appropriate academic progress, additional support must be provided. A reclassified student who is struggling academically may NOT be reassigned to English Learner status 34

35 Reclassified Students and English Learner Subgroup 35

36 There is a common belief that reclassifying English Learners will make it more difficult for a school s EL subgroup to meet its AYP targets. We ll lose our high ELs. This belief is false. 36

37 Included in the EL subgroup are RFEP students who have not scored proficient or above on the CST in English Language Arts three times after being reclassified. (Source: 2009 Adequate Yearly Progress Report Information Guide, California Department of Education, 2009) 37

38 Final Thoughts 38

39 Monitor student progress toward reclassification regularly. Research says it takes 5-7 years for students to acquire proficiency in a second language. Aim for one level of growth per year. Provide additional support to students who are not making adequate progress toward reclassification. 39

40 After receiving CELDT results, screen the data for reclassification candidates. CELDT results are released in January. January through early March is a good time for screening. Reclassification rates are reported to the CDE in March as part of the annual Language Census. 40

41 After receiving CST results, screen the data for reclassification candidates. August/September is another good time for screening as the latest CST results are available by then. 41

42 Monitor RFEP students regularly to ensure appropriate academic progress is being made. Provide additional support to students who are not making appropriate progress early in the follow-up period. Do NOT reclassify students prematurely. 42

43 You may refer to the VESD Master Plan for English Learners for additional information. Please contact Ed Services if you have any questions, comments or concerns. Thank you. 43