English Language Learner Roundtable
Friday, July 28 2006

On July 28^th, 2006 the BHLC hosted an English LanguageLearner roundtable discussion with ELD/EL experts and consultants, as well as Roosevelt School Family principals and bilingual coordinators. The objective was to explore ideas and professional opinions for the development of BHLC policy initiatives regarding English Learners and reclassification.

Participants reviewed the parent survey which was recently completed by the BHLC in partnership with the East Los Angeles Community Corporation (ELACC.) The parent survey is a project to learn about English Learners and reclassification as well as housing issues in Boyle Heights.

Eight elementary schools were surveyed in Boyle Heights. A total of 215 surveys were completed by parents, a 33% participation rate.

English Learner (EL) and reclassification questions focused on:

• Primary language spoken at home
• Types of instructional programs
  
• Parent signature forms indicating type of instructional program parents requested for their child
  
• Information provided by the school to help parents select on their child's instructional program
• Parent's knowledge of their child's ELD (English Language Development) level
• Parents Having viewed their child's ELD portfolio
• Parent's familiarity with the reclassification process and knowing if their child had been reclassified
• Parent's knowledge of the criteria used to reclassify their child from EL to RFEP (Reclassified Fully English Proficient)
• Methods in which the school notified the parent about reclassifying their child