Reclassification of English Learner Students

Using Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Results for Reclassification

The Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC shall be administered annually to students identified as EL students in grades K–12, ages three through twenty-one, until they meet the reclassification criteria in EC Section 313, and they are reclassified as fluent English proficient (RFEP) (5 CCR sections 11518.15 and 11518.30). Therefore, summative results may only be used for reclassification from the release of the results in May of each year until the end of the following year’s summative administration window. The CDE recommends that LEAs should assess students before the end of the summative administration window, if they have not met all four criteria by mid-May. This ensures that the student will be eligible for reclassification throughout next school year.

Reclassification Procedures and Criteria

California’s reclassification criteria are set forth in Education Code (EC) Section 313 (f) and Title 5, California Code of Regulations (5 CCR) Section 11303. Local educational agency (LEA) reclassification procedures shall be reviewed by the school district advisory committee on programs and services for English learner (EL) students including the IEP team, if applicable, as identified in 5 CCR Section 11308(c)(6) and 30 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(ii). A professional with training and expertise in second language acquisition who understands how to differentiate between the student’s English language proficiency (ELP) and how the student’s disability impacts language development should be part of the team for EL students with disabilities (34 CFR §300.321(a)).

LEAs are required to use the following four criteria to establish reclassification policies and procedures:

  1. Assessment of ELP through the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) or Alternate ELPAC as defined in California EC Section 313 (f)(1) and EC Section 60810.
    1. LEAs must use Summative ELPAC results as the required state assessments for ELP) administered. LEAs shall use Overall Performance level (PL) 4 as the determination that a student has met the ELP assessment criterion.
    2. LEAs must use Summative Alternate ELPAC results as the primary assessment of ELP. LEAs shall use Overall PL 3 as the determination that a student has met the ELP assessment criterion.
  2. Teacher evaluation (including, but not limited to, a review of the student’s curriculum mastery)
  3. Parent/guardian opinion and consultation
  4. Comparison of the performance of the student in basic skills against an empirically established range of performance in basic skills based upon the performance of English-proficient students of the same age that demonstrates whether the student is sufficiently proficient in English to participate effectively in a curriculum designed for students of the same age whose native language is English.

Criterion 1 Overview

The Summative ELPAC became operational on February 1, 2018. In November 2018, the California State Board of Education (SBE) approved revised Summative ELPAC threshold scores by grade level, for kindergarten through grade eight, and by grade span for grades nine and ten and for grades eleven and twelve. In January 2019, the SBE approved the use of the Summative ELPAC Overall Performance Level (PL) 4 as the statewide standardized ELP criterion (Criterion 1) to inform reclassification decisions beginning with the 2018–19 Summative ELPAC administration for kindergarten through grade 12 (K–12).The threshold scores for the Summative ELPAC, which are reported on a four-‍performance-level scale, have been applicable to determine the level designation for ELP since the 2018–19 Summative ELPAC administration. For more information on scale score ranges, refer to the section on scale score ranges for the Summative ELPAC.

The Summative Alternate ELPAC became operational on November 1, 2021, and in May 2022, the SBE approved the Summative Alternate ELPAC threshold scores. Threshold scores were developed for the following grade levels and grade spans: kindergarten, grade one, grade two, grades three through five, grades six through eight, grades nine and ten, and grades eleven and twelve. The Alternate ELPAC replaces all locally determined alternate assessments and provides a consistent, standardized measure of ELP across the state for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. In May 2023, the SBE approved the use of the Summative Alternate ELPAC Overall Performance Level (PL) 3 as the statewide standardized ELP criterion (Criterion 1) to inform reclassification decisions beginning with the 2022–23 Summative Alternate ELPAC administration for students in grades K–12. The threshold scores for the Summative Alternate ELPAC, which are reported on a three-‍performance-level scale, have been applicable to determine the level designation for ELP since the 2022–23 Summative Alternate ELPAC administration. For more information on scale score ranges, refer to the section on scale score ranges for the Summative Alternate ELPAC.

Criterion 2 through 4 Guidance

For further guidance on reclassification procedures and criterion 2 through 4, refer to the California Department of Education (CDE) Reclassification web page.

Questions about reclassification policy should be directed to the CDE Language Policy and Leadership Office by email at lplo@cde.ca.gov.

Monitoring of Reclassified Students

LEAs must monitor student performance for four years after reclassification to ensure students continue to make academic progress without EL services.

Additionally, California regulations specify that any local reclassification criteria must be reviewed by the school district committee on programs and services for EL students (20 USC 6841[a][4][5]; 5 CCR Section 11304).

For further guidance on reclassification progress monitoring, refer to the CDE Reclassification web page.