Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

An English Learner (EL) is any student whose first language, primary language, or home language is anything other than English.

When a student enrolls in a California public school for the first time, their parents/guardians complete the Home Language Survey (HLS) as part of the enrollment process. If the parent/guardian states that their student's first, primary, or language spoken at home is not English, the school then has 30 days to notify parents and administer the Initial ELPAC test to determine the student's English proficiency level. If a student scores below 450 out of 600 points, they are classified as an English Learner (EL) and will continue to take the ELPAC annually until they are reclassified.

There are several ways to determine if your student is classified as an English Learner (EL):

1. Contact your student's counselor or EL Family Liaison to ask about your student's language status.

2. Log into the Aeries Parent Portal. Click on "Student Info" and then "Demographics". Look under "LangFlu" to see your student's language classification.

3. If you responded to the Home Language Survey (HLS) with any language other than English as your student's first, primary, or home language and your student was never reclassified, they are probably classified as an English Learner (EL).

LTEL stands for Long Term English Learner. LTELS are students who have been identified as English Learners (EL) for 6 years or more without being reclassified.

A student who is classified as Redesignated Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) has met the state and district criteria for reclassification. This means that the student is no longer classified as an English Learner (EL) and no longer needs to take the ELPAC test. Redesignated students continue to be monitored for four years after redesignation to see if they still require language support in their classes.

A student who is classified as Initial Fluent (IFEP) took the Initial ELPAC test after enrolling in a California public school and received a score higher than 450. Students who receive a score of 450 or higher on the Initial ELPAC test are automatically classified as fluent in English and do not need to take the Summative ELPAC test.

ELPAC stands for English Language Proficiency Assessment of California. The ELPAC is the test that students take to measure their English fluency levels. When a student first enrolls in a California public school, they take the Initial ELPAC test. If they receive a score below 450 out of 600, they are then registered to take the Summative ELPAC, a slightly longer version of the test, every year until they meet the criteria for redesignation. The ELPAC test is comprised of four domains: Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. To learn more about the ELPAC test, go to https://www.elpac.org/ 

There are several ways that a student can prepare for the ELPAC test:

1. Go to https://www.elpac.org/resources/practicetests/#practice-training-tests. 

• From this website, look under the "Practice and Training Tests" section. Click on "Students should access the practice and training tests". Click on "Summative ELPAC Practice Test" or "Summative ELPAC Training Test" and then "Sign in" to access the test. Note: The practice tests on the ELPAC website will not give you a score for your test.

• Alternatively, you can also scroll down to the "Initial and Summative ELPAC" section and select the grade span for your student to download and/or print a practice or training test. Note: The downloadable practice and training tests include rubrics that you can use to determine your scores for each section.

2. Study the practice reading, writing, and speaking questions. 

3. Practice and participate in your classes, especially English class, before taking the ELPAC test.

4. Borrow a book from your school library or the Sora App to practice for the reading section.

5. Practice listening by watching movies, television, or listening to music in English. You can also practice by having English conversations with a friend or family member.

In order to be redesignated as fluent proficient in English (RFEP), a student needs to meet the state and district criteria for reclassification. These criteria are:

• State criteria (must meet all three)

  • Score of 4 on the Overall Summative ELPAC

  • Score of 4 on the Written Domain for the Summative ELPAC

  • Most recent English grade of C- or higher

  • Parent Signature/Approval

• Additional criteria (must meet 5)

  • Score of 3 on the Reading Domain for the Summative ELPAC

  • Score of 3 on the Listening Domain for the Summative ELPAC

  • Score of 3 on the Speaking Domain for the Summative ELPAC

  • Accumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

  • Most recent English grades (in last two semesters or quarters) of C- or higher

  • SOLOM Recommendation from English Teacher

  • SOLOM Recommendation from another Core Subject Teacher (Math, Science, Social Science)

If your student has met these requirements, you will be contacted by your school's EL Family Liaison to complete the redesignation process.

ELAC stands for the English Learner Advisory Committee. By law, all schools with a certain number of English Learners (ELs) must have an ELAC committee comprised of parents and guardians of EL students that meet at least four times per year to discuss educational programming for EL students and advise the school about programming related to EL students. ELAC meetings are public, so anyone can attend, but only parents and guardians of current EL students or students who were reclassified (RFEP) within the last four years can serve on the committee.

The best way to get involved in your student's education is by attending ELAC meetings or reaching out to your school's EL Family Liaison. Remember that as a parent of an English Learner (EL), you have the right to provide input to your school and district about educational programming for EL students. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to La Vista/La Sierra EL Family Liaison Joel Medina at jmedina@fjuhsd.org or by calling (714)447-5516.