Rescue Union School District

In Rescue Union School District, instruction for English Learners is guided by the principles of the California English Language Development (CA ELD) Standards, with a focus on helping students build both language skills and academic understanding. We support students through a combination of integrated and designated ELD, providing opportunities to use English in meaningful ways across subjects. Instruction is designed to promote interaction, develop language awareness, and support students as they learn to express increasingly complex ideas. We value students' home languages and backgrounds and aim to create a learning environment that builds on their strengths while helping them grow in confidence and proficiency in English.

 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. Information from the ELPAC helps your child’s teacher provide targeted instruction in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

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 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 in a California school.
Why: Additional instruction in English is important so these students can get the extra help they need to do well in school and access the full curriculum. 

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 annually to measure the progress and skills of English learners. The results are one measure used by the school or district to determine 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: The summative ELPAC is important because it measures English Learners annual progress in reading, writing, listening and speaking, helping educators determine appropriate support and readiness for reclassification.

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 their English proficiency  As a result, the test includes accessibility resources that address visual, auditory, and physical access barriers—allowing virtually all students to demonstrate their knowledge.  Additionaly, there is an 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).

 
Reclassification Celebrations

 

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