Walnut Creek School District

Multilingual/English Learner Program

The English Language Development Program is designed to help Multilingual Students/English Learners (ELs) achieve language proficiency and academic achievement comparable to that of the average native speaker within the district as quickly and effectively as possible.

Home Language Survey – Initial ELPAC

As required by the state of California, students whose home language surveys indicate a primary language other than English is used at home are assessed using the English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC). Students take the Initial ELPAC within 30 days of enrollment. This is the only time they will take the Initial ELPAC. Those students who demonstrate limited English proficiency are designated “English Learners.”

Their language proficiency level will help determine their instructional supports provided to stuents. In addition, the state’s ELD standards provide a “road map” for differentiating instruction in the classroom. The curriculum offered to students who score a level 1 & 2 includes a strong emphasis on basic communication skills and oral language fluency. Students who score a level 3 & 4 recieve a more content-based curriculum is emphasized to serve as the gateway to academic learning in English. Students at levels 3 & 4 receive daily English Language Development that is comparable to grade-level English Language Arts standards.

Summative ELPAC

As required by the state of California, all English Learners will take the Summative ELPAC each spring. This assessment measures English learner progress in the 4 domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing on a score range of 1-4. Multilingual students will continue to take the Summative ELPAC until they are reclassified as English Fluent (RFEP). For more information on the Initial or Summative ELPAC, visit the Starting Smarter ELPAC page, avialable by clicking here.

Reclassification as English Fluent (RFEP)

The summative ELPAC provides an opportunity for multilingual students to meet the first criteria of Reclassification. While the goal of our program is for continual student progress and ultimately reclassify, it can take students years to reach a level 4 and we aim to meet the needs of each individuals instructional needs. To reclassify, students must meet all 4 criteria: English Language Proficiency, Teacher evaluation on grade level performance, parent consultation and basic skills relative to english proficient students.