Rescue Union School District

Educating for the Future, Together

 

Rescue Union School District presently serves approximately 150 English Learners who speak a variety of languages from around the world. We believe that all students, regardless of language, race, socio-economic status or ethnic background, shall be afforded options and opportunities to be college and career ready. With English learners comprising a quarter of the state of California's six million students, RUSD makes it a high priority to engage in conversations around instructional practices related to English learner outcomes. We are committed to the whole child being literate and reaching their full potential in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English and promote the continued use of each student's heritage language. 

 

Foundation of RUSD EL Program

 There are many Federal and State laws that establish the rights of English Learners and define the responsibilities of school districts serving them.

California Law

  • In 2016, California Proposition 58 was passed.  Proposition 58 repealed the English-only immersion requirement and waiver provisions required by Proposition 227 of 1998The key tenets of Proposition  58 are:
  • Preserves requirement that public schools ensure students become proficient in English.
  • Requires school districts to solicit parent and community input in developing language acquisition programs to ensure English acquisition as rapidly and effectively as possible.
  • Requires that school districts provide students with limited English proficiency the option to be taught English nearly all in English.
  • Authorizes school districts to establish dual-language immersion programs for both native and non-native English speakers.
  • Allows parents/legal guardians of students to select an available language acquisition program that best suits their child.

Federal Law

Constitution of the United States, Fourteenth Amendment (1868)
Civil Rights Act, Title VI (1964)
Equal Educational Opportunities Act (1974)

Supreme Court

Lau v. Nichols (1974)
Castañeda v. Pickard (Texas, 1981)

 
English Learner Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

English Learner Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
title

 The ELPAC is the test that is used to measure how well students in kindergarten through twelfth grade understand English when it is not their primary language. The ELPAC is taking the place of the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). Information from the ELPAC helps your child’s teacher provide support in the right areas.

The ELPAC has two parts:

Initial Assessment

Who: Students will take the Initial Assessment if:

  • the student has a primary language other than English
  • the student has not taken the CELDT or ELPAC before, and
  • the student has not been classified before as an English learner.

What: The Initial Assessment is used to identify students as either an English learner who needs to support to learn English, or as proficient in English.
 
When: Students are given the Initial Assessment within 30 days of when they enroll at the school.
Why: Identifying students who need help learning in English is important so these students can get the extra help they need to do well in school and access the full curriculum. Every year students who are English learners will take the ELPAC summative to measure their progress in learning English.

Summative Assessment

Who: The Summative Assessment is given to students who are identified as an English learner on the Initial Assessment.
What: The Summative Assessment is used to measure the skills of English learners. The results will help tell the school or district if the student is ready to be reclassified as proficient in English.
When: Students who are English learners are given the Summative Assessment every spring between February and May until they are reclassified as English proficient.
Why: Identifying students who need help learning in English is important so these students can get the extra help they need to do well in school and access the full curriculum. Every year students who are English learners will take the ELPAC summative to measure their progress in learning English.

The ELPAC tests four different area:

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing

Do students with disabilities take the ELPAC?

Yes, the ELPAC has been designed so that students, including those with special needs, can participate in the test and demonstrate what they know and can do. As a result, the test includes accessibility resources that address visual, auditory, and physical access barriers—allowing virtually all students to demonstrate what they know and can do.  Additionaly, there is a new Alternate ELPAC that can be administered to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

How Can I Help My Child Get Ready for the ELPAC?

You are an important part of your child's education. Some things you can do to help your child are:

  • Read to your child, or have your child read to you in English, daily.
  • Use pictures and ask your child to tell you in English what they seein the picture or what is happening in the picture.
  • Talk to your child’s teacher about which areas of learning English (listening, speaking, reading, writing) he or she may need extra help.
  • Discuss the test with your child. Make sure he or she feels comfortable and understands the importance of taking the test.

The ELPAC is aligned with the California English Language Development Standards (PDF).

EL Program Highlights & Events

EL Program Highlights & Events
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Reclassification Dinner and Ceremony at Pleasant Grove Middle School!
RUSD celebrates its many graduates who meet all district requirements to graduate out of the EL program.  The Reclassification night includes a community BBQ, music, the awarding of certificates to students, and a lot of fun conversation!   Due to the COVID Pandemic, cerememonies have been cancelled until further notice.  We look forward to holding these celebrations again!
 
International Festival  
RUSD holds a yearly International festival where families from across our district gather to enjoy a celebration of food, music, and dance from all around the world.  Students and families have dinner as a community by tasting some of what the food trucks have to offer, and our students are showcased in international dance performances.   Due to the COVID Pandemic, cerememonies have been cancelled until further notice.  We look forward to holding these celebrations again!
 
 
RUSD EL Master Plan

RUSD EL Master Plan
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Master Plan

The English Learner (EL) master Plan for the Rescue Union School District guides the implementation of highly-effective programs for English learners and ensures that these programs achieve the district's goals for ELs.  The master plan also serves to ensure that EL programs are consistent with state and federal law.  

 

Resources

Resourcestitle

 
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC): https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/TG/ep/
The Language Instruction for English Learner and Immigrant Students Act/
 
 
 
EL Newcomers: The State of California has released a web portal that focuses entirely on the needs of the newcomer community. The California Immigrant Guide is available in various languages including Arabic and Farsi. It allows users to search for English-language learning, employment, education, legal assistance, and citizenship services according to zip code and proximity. Visit  http://www.immigrantguide.ca.gov/en
 
 
 
English Learner Advisory Committees

English Learner Advisory Committees
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District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

The District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) advises the governing board on the master plan for English learner education, district-wide needs assessment, and setting district goals for English learner education. The DELAC assists the district with language census report, written parent notification of initial assessment, district's reclassification process, review of and comments on any related requests. The majority of the DELAC members are parents of EL students. The DELAC members are trained by the English Learner staff.   

School sites with 21 or more English Learners must have a functioning English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).  The committee advises the principal on the development of the school plan for English Learners and performs other duties and responsibilities as required by law.  Currently, Green Valley Elementary and   Pleasant Grove hold ELAC meetings. 

 

 

ELAC-Fall-2021-GV-and-PG.pdf

 

 

 

For a list of upcoming meetings, see below. Agendas for the current month are listed below.

You are Invited to attend
Green Valley Elementary School’s ELAC 
(English Learner Advisory Committee) 
 
Please join us to learn more about our English Learner Program!
VIRTUAL : 
Wednesday, September 8th 2021
5:00-5:30p.m. Spanish
 5:30-6:00p.m. ENGLISH
 
 Meeting ID: 912 7922 0612     Passcode: ELAC
 
What is ELAC? 
It is a way for parents of English Language Learners to be involved with the school and give input about the English Learner Program. 
 
                                                         Agenda
  • Roles of ELAC/DELAC
  • EL Language Census
  • Summarize El supports/program in 2021-22
  • Parent Needs Assessment

For more information please contact:
Dr. Jennifer Lawson, Director of Special Programs
Rescue Union School District
Phone: 530-672-4831
E-mail: jlawson@rescueusd.org

Usted está invitado a asistir
ELAC de la Escuela Primaria Green Valley
(Comité Asesor de Estudiantes Aprendices de Inglés)
 
¡Únase a nosotros para aprender más sobre nuestro Programa para Aprendices de Inglés!
Junta VIRTUAL: miércoles 8 de septiembre de 5:00 a 5:30 pm en español
Meeting ID
 Meeting ID: 912 7922 0612     Passcode: ELAC
 
¿Qué es el ELAC?
Es una manera en  que los padres de los estudiantes aprendices del idioma inglés se involucren con la escuela y den su opinión sobre el Programa.
   Agenda
  • Proporcionar comentarios al consejo del sitio escolar para que los utilicen en la formación de su spsa.
  • Revisión del plan maestro EL
  • Resumir el programa / apoyos de EL en 2021-22
  • Evaluación de las necesidades 

Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto:
Dr. Jennifer Lawson, Coordinadora de EL
Rescue Union School District
Teléfono: 530-672-4831
E-mail: jlawson@rescueusd.org
You are Invited to attend
Pleasant Grove Middle School’s ELAC

Pleasant Grove ELAC Meeting
(English Learner Advisory Committee) 

Please join us to learn more about our English Learner Program!
 VIRTUAL : 
Wednesday, September 8th 2021
5:00-5:30p.m. Spanish
 5:30-6:00p.m. ENGLISH
 Meeting ID: 912 7922 0612     Passcode: ELAC

What is ELAC? 
It is a way for parents of English Language Learners to be involved with the school and give input about the English Learner Program. 
 Agenda
  • Roles of ELAC/DELAC
  • EL Language Census
  • Summarize El supports/program in 2021-22
  • Parent Needs Assessment

For more information please contact:
Dr. Jennifer Lawson, EL Coordinator
Rescue Unified School District
Phone: 530-672-4831

Usted está invitado a asistir
ELAC de la Escuela Secundaria Pleasant Grove

¡Únase a nosotros para aprender más sobre nuestro Programa para Aprendices de Inglés!

VIRTUAL: miércoles 8 de septiembre del 2021
De 5: 00- 5: 30pm en español y de 5:30 - 6:00 pm en inglés
 Meeting ID: 912 7922 0612     Passcode: ELAC

¿Qué es el ELAC?
  • 1. Funciones de ELAC / DELAC
  • 2. Censo de idiomas EL
  • 3. Resumir los apoyos / programas de El en 2021-22
  • 4. Evaluación de las necesidades de los padres

Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto:
Dr. Jennifer Lawson, Coordinadora de EL 
Rescue Unified School District
Teléfono: 530-672-4831
E-mail: jlawson@rescueusd.org
Archived DELAC/ELAC Meetings: 
April 19th, 2021 Meeting Notes/LCAP expenditures and needs assesment focus: delac-4-2021.pdf
Superintendent's Response to DELAC: delac4-2021-cheryl-response.pdf

 

Contact Jennifer Lawson at (530) 672-4831 with any questions.

 
Questions?

Questions?
title

Contact:
 
Dr. Jennifer Lawson (English)
Director of Special Programs
Office:(530) 672-4831

(Puedes enviarme un mensaje de texto en espanol o ingles!) 

 
Sol Plasencia (Spanish)
Community Liaison, Support Services Department
Office: (530) 672-4811
Fax: (530) 672-1889