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District presents English Learner needs assessment and reclassification update; board approves ELL materials and pilot
Summary
DEAC presented survey results and recommendations on English Learner needs; the Language Development Office reported reclassification counts and actions, and trustees approved purchases of ELL backpacks, a UCSF screener pilot letter, and a contract with Facts Education Solutions.
The Stockton Unified board received a needs-assessment presentation from the District English Learners Advisory Committee (DEAC) and a reclassification update from the Language Development Office, then approved several actions to support English Learner (EL) students.
DEAC president Francisa Vargas and committee members summarized results from a parent survey completed by 347 families. The survey highlighted strengths — such as respectful interactions at school offices and parent conferences that discuss student performance — and areas needing improvement: about 41.7% of respondents said their children experienced some form of bullying, and roughly 15.6% were unsure whether their children had access to counseling services. DEAC recommended more parent workshops (ELD curriculum and ELPAC information), greater translation and interpretation capacity, required teacher–parent conferences, and better scheduling coordination to avoid conflicts with other events.
Dr. Israel Gonzalez, director of the Language Development Office, explained the reclassification process (ELPAC proficiency, Smarter Balanced/I-Ready cut scores, monitoring for four years) and presented data: 210 students reclassified to date in the current cycle; prior-year reclassification rates were roughly 12.2% versus 13.3% the previous year; district EL enrollment is declining with approximately 8,117 students reported. He identified grade-level disparities and said the office is strengthening early interventions, revising middle-school ELD curriculum, piloting ERWC in 7th–8th grade and expanding bilingual paraprofessional training.
Following presentations, the board considered related agenda items. Item 10.1 approved purchasing English Learner bilingual take-home backpacks and assessment bundles (roll-call vote: passed 5–0; Trustees Flores and Mendes absent). Item 10.2 approved a letter of participation/support for a UCSF universal screener pilot (passed 5–0; Flores and Mendes absent). Item 10.3 authorized a contract with Facts Education Solutions to provide equitable services to identified private schools for 2024–25 (passed 6–0; Trustee Mendes absent).
Trustees and DEAC members discussed outreach to families who speak languages other than Spanish; DEAC members and district staff said the district provides translators and is seeking to promote ELAC/DAAC participation across language groups. The Language Development Office noted partnerships with CSU Stanislaus and UC San Diego to increase bilingual teacher capacity.
The board’s approvals provide procurement and partnership steps the district says will support parent engagement, assessment administration and equitable services for private schools as part of its EL programming.
