Board updates English-learner policy to include IEP-team reclassification guidance

The board approved revised Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 6174, which updates how the district identifies and supports long-term English learners and clarifies reclassification procedures for students with IEPs.

The director of educational services presented the revision, which adds language ensuring IEP teams consider classroom performance, IEP goals and comparisons with peers who are English proficient but have similar disabilities when recommending reclassification. The policy also strengthens family notification and participation provisions. "The updated language ensures that our families will have meaningful participation and appropriate notification so that the process is both compliant and family centered," the director said.

Trustees asked about training needs and whether the changes require new resources. Staff answered that most of the workload falls to district special-education and office teams and that professional development and communications to parents are planned. Trustee Preciado noted the changes align with CSBA updates and local workshop discussions about reclassification and supports for multilingual learners with disabilities.

The board voted unanimously to adopt the policy after members moved and seconded the action.