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This website was created during non-work hours using donated software, hardware and web hosting. It is intended for discussion, modification and eventual adoption by the Roseville Joint Union High School District (California). Until such process is completed, the opinions expressed on this website are the opinions of the author alone.

Reclassification of English Learners

State Law

Being classified as an English Learner is intended to be a temporary category. Students are designated as English Learners through a legally defined process, then students are reclassifyd out of the category through a related process. Upon reclassification a student is considered "Reclassifyd Fluent English Proficient."

Both classification and reclassification (as "Fluent English Proficient") are processes defined by state law. The state law defines minimum standards for reclassification. The local school board must adopt a reclassification process, which must conform to state law. The school board may adopt either the state minimum designation standards or may adopt a standard that is more stringent than the state's.

The Purpose of Reclassification

Reclassification occurs when a student is ready to be released from supportive treatment. The purpose of the English Learner designation is to provide academic, social and cultural support in order for students to access the school's curriculum.

Roseville Joint Union High School District Redesgnation Policy

The English Language Learner Reclassification Policy is available both as a download and by scrolling down.

  • Click here to download a pdf version of the RJUHSD reclassification policy

  • Click here to download a pdf version of the RJUHSD reclassification decision guide.

English Learner Reclassification Policy

Reclassification is the process by which students who have been identified as English learners are reclassified to fluent English Proficient (RFEP) when they have demonstrated that they are able to compete effectively with English-speaking peers in mainstream classes. (CDE: Understanding Reclassification of English Learners to Fluent English Proficient. 2007)

I. State Guideline: Did the student achieve an overall CELDT Score of 4 or greater (Early Advanced or Advanced)?

    No: Student remains an English Learner

    Yes: Continue to next step

II. Performance on Basic Skills: Did the student achieve at least 1 of these 3 basic skills performance criteria:

    A. CST - ELA 300 or greater

    B. CAHSEE-ELA 350 or greater

    C. District-Based Writing Assessment score of 3 or greater

      No: Student remains an English Learner

      Yes: Continue to next step

III. Teacher Evaluation of Student Academic Performance: Did the student achieve a current Grade Point Average of 2.0 or greater in the most recent quarterly grading period?

    No: Student remains an English Learner

    Yes: Continue to next step

IV. English Learner Performance Review Team: Has the student demonstrated that he/she is able to compete effectively with English-speaking peers in mainstream classes?

A team of an administrator, the English Learner Specialist, one or more of the student's core teachers, the student and the parent is convened to:

a) Discuss the student's progress, and

b) Consider the student for reclassification.

Has the student demonstrated that he/she is able to compete effectively with English-speaking peers in mainstream classes?

    No: Student remains an English Learner

    Yes:Continue to next step

V. English Learner Coordinator Review. Recommendation submitted to English Learner Coordinator for approval. Have the reclassification guidelines above been met?

    No: Student remains an English learner. English Learner Coordinator meets with the English Learner Performance Review Team to review the evidence, after which reclassification shall be reconsidered.

    Yes: Student is Reclassified as Fluent English Proficient (RFEP)

VI. Reclassification Finalized

    a. Formal notification of parent with a copy of documentation placed in student cumulative file.

    b. Student information database updated with reclassification information.

    c. Student enters RFEP monitoring process.

Statistics

The Roseville Joint Union High School District has varying rates of reclassification at the various sites.

These differences are likely to be based on the demographics of the various schools. Roseville High School serves as a magnet site for lower level English learners.

School English Learners Percentage Reclassified
Adelante 14 63%
Antelope 65 61%
Granite Bay 8 22%
Independence 7 100%
Oakmont 42 62%
Roseville 183 16%
Woodcreek 29 24%
District 348 32%
County 5221 14%
State 1,468,235 11.6%

2009-2010 School Year. Data from Dataquest

Implementation

It is the intention of the Categorical Programs Office to help parents, students and staff understand the reclassification policy for the district and its role in the program. An aggressive policy seeking to reclassify students as quickly as possible may remove students from the auspices of the program before they are ready. A minimal pursuit of reclassification does not accurately reflect the efforts and achievement of students who have worked to learn English. Therefore, implementation of the reclassification policy is inteneded to be neutral: neither aggressive nor minimal.

Reclassification is dependent upon predictable events throughout the school year: state testing and grade results. Reclassification is therefore considered based on the new data generated during calendared events; in January when new sets of grades and recent CELDT scores are available, in June when new sets of grades are available, and in July, when new sets of California Standards Tests are available.

 

References


California Department of Education. Assistance Packet for School Districts and Schools. Reclassification of English Learners to Fluent English Proficient. Accessed 18 September 2011 at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/el/resources.asp