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Palm Springs Unified outlines reclassification steps for English learners and flags state bill to simplify criteria
Summary
EL programs coordinator Dr. Ricardo Arraiza told the board about the districtreclassification process, supports for long-term ELs and said a state assembly bill referenced in the presentation would simplify reclassification to rely primarily on the ELPAC assessment beginning in a future school year.
Dr. Ricardo Arraiza, the districtEL programs coordinator, presented the Palm Springs Unified board with the districtprocess for reclassifying English learners and described supports aimed at increasing reclassification rates.
Arraiza said reclassification currently uses four criteria: a score of 4 on the ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessment for California), an academic measure such as STAR or SBAC performance, teacher consultation that the student can succeed without targeted ELD, and parent consultation. "When the student meets all those four criteria, we no longer provide designated ELD," Arraiza said, adding that the district continues to provide integrated ELD in general education classrooms.
Arraiza reported that on March 21 the district reclassified 487 students this school year. During board discussion a member noted the district has about 5,000 English learners in total and more than 1,000 long-term English learners; Arraiza said those figures align with statewide trends and reinforced the need for focused supports.
The presentation described targeted supports for long-term ELs (LTELs) including teacher professional development, Saturday and interim-assessment practice opportunities, COSAs (counselors on special assignment) focused on LTELs and newcomer supports, and community events such as English learner strategy nights. On assessment domains, Arraiza said speaking is emphasized at the elementary level while reading and writing, particularly writing, are the hardest domains at middle and high school.
Arraiza also discussed an Assembly Bill referenced in the presentation (cited by the presenter as an upcoming change) that, as described to the board, would simplify reclassification by relying primarily on ELPAC results (a score of 4 or a 3 on the alternate summative) rather than the additional measures. He framed the change as intended to remove barriers that have kept some students from reclassifying. The presenter said the district welcomes the change and expects it to increase reclassification rates if enacted and implemented.
Board members asked for historical data comparing dual-immersion and non-dual-immersion reclassification outcomes; district staff said they would provide that data. Arraiza recommended early interventions so students reach reclassification milestones by fifth grade when possible.
The board thanked Arraiza for the update and asked staff to continue monitoring outcomes and supporting teachers with targeted professional development.
