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Rocklin Unified reports rising share of unduplicated pupils, details English learner supports
Summary
District staff told the board the unduplicated pupil percentage has risen to roughly 25%, and outlined staffing, newcomer curriculum, family liaisons and tutoring pilots intended to help English learners make at least one proficiency level per year on state assessments.
District staff told the Rocklin Unified School District board that the share of students who qualify as unduplicated pupils — low-income students, foster youth, homeless students and English learners — has increased substantially and that the district is scaling programs to meet the need.
"Our unduplicated pupil percentage in the district has grown by about 6.5% since 2019," Hannah Anderson, director of innovation and school programs, told trustees during the Local Control and Accountability Plan presentation. "That's now cresting about 25% — just over one in four students." Anderson said the district counts a student once in the unduplicated tally even if they qualify in multiple categories.
Anderson and English Learner coordinator Sarah Sorey outlined the program's goals and actions. The district has set a goal that "every English learner will gain a minimum of one level on the state assessment they take each spring," Anderson said. To support that, the district is using assessment data to guide instruction, adjusting EL staffing annually based on site needs and developing a newcomer curriculum for recently arrived students.
Sorey described classroom models by grade band: K–1 students receive language-rich classroom instruction; grades 2–6 receive targeted designated ELD time with site EL staff; and secondary EL students are placed in grade-level ELD courses or in integrated ELD supports depending on proficiency. "All of our EL students are placed in an EL course," Sorey said, adding that secondary sites use bilingual instructional aides who push into classes to scaffold content and language learning.
The presentation listed complementary actions: increased translation services, family liaisons (Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish and Portuguese), a summer newcomer camp for novice-level students and a tutoring pilot using a partnership with Varsity Tutoring to deliver small-group virtual tutoring with a Rocklin Unified staff member onsite.
Board members asked about family engagement and resource sufficiency. Sorey said turnout for the Russian and Ukrainian family liaison meetings has been as high as 30 participants and that virtual meetings improved access. "I do think we have the resources we need," she said, noting recent funding increases and staff supports.
The presentation also noted assessment changes: California removed the ELPAC requirement for transitional kindergarten this year, which affects historical comparisons. Anderson said the district will draft an English Learner master plan and return to the board in winter–spring 2025 for further action.
The board did not take action at the meeting; staff said they will monitor outcomes, pilot a request-for-assistance form at two schools in December and provide updates during upcoming LCAP presentations.
