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Board adopts updated reclassification criteria for English learners, adds ELPAC and parent sign-off option
Summary
The board approved revised English-learner reclassification criteria that add the state ELPAC assessment (K–12), adjust cut scores and explicitly include ELD marks and an expanded teacher-evaluation option; staff said preliminary reclassification numbers show increases but noted Spanish-speaking ELs remain a group of concern.
The San Francisco Board of Education voted May 22 to adopt updated criteria for reclassifying English learners districtwide, aligning SFUSD procedures with state requirements and the new English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC).
Christina Wall of the multilingual-pathways team presented the proposed resolution (18522S01), which: (1) replaces the prior CELDT reference with ELPAC and extends the criteria to kindergarten through grade 12, (2) streamlines the demonstration-of-basic-skills requirement to a 'meets expectations' threshold on selected assessments, (3) adjusts Smarter Balanced and report-card cut scores to specified levels (including a district ELA/ELD average requirement), and (4) modifies parent-notification procedures by adding a sign‑off sheet parents return only if they do not want their child reclassified. The proposal also expands the teacher-evaluation form to be available for all grade levels.
Staff presented preliminary reclassification outcomes by language groups and said that early numbers show increases over the prior year for most groups, though Spanish‑speaking English learners continue to lag reclassification rates and will be a focus of further work. Board members asked for a multi‑year trend analysis and more targeted plans to support Spanish‑speaking ELs.
The board voted by roll call to adopt the revised criteria; staff said the updated process will be implemented for the 2018–19 school year and that the superintendent is authorized to make further changes if state or federal requirements change.
