What is an English Learner?
English Learners are students who have difficulty communicating fluently or learning effectively in English. These students often come from non-English-speaking homes and backgrounds and who typically require Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) and who need specialized or modified instruction in their academic courses. English Learners typically take a designated English Language Development (ELD) class in addition to their regular English class. Newcomers, students who have been in the country for less than two years, take two periods of designated ELD.
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
The English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) is an important committee that advises the principal and staff on programs and services for English Learners. They contribute to the development of the Single Plan for Student Achievement, as well as assisting the school in the development of the school's needs assessment and making parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
Students benefit from their parents serving on ELAC as their parents' concerns are voiced to the School Site Council, resulting in an impact on decision making at the school level. They will see the change in their parents, as the parents are empowered by the trainings they will receive and as they develop the ability to speak out for their families.
ELAC provides parents with a forum to express their thoughts and concerns about their children's education at the site and district level. Parents have more expertise about their children's education than they realize.
