English Language Learners

The Multilingual Parent Newsletter (formerly known as the Distance Learning Parent Newsletter) is available in English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.

The California Education for a Global Economy (CA Ed.G.E.) Initiative is a voter-approved state plan to ensure that all children in California public schools receive the highest quality education, master the English language, and access high-quality, innovative, and research-based language programs that prepare them to fully participate in a global economy.

The CA Ed.G.E. Initiative authorizes school districts to establish language acquisition programs for both fluent English speakers and English Learners, and requires school districts to solicit parent and community input in developing language acquisition programs. Parents/Guardians may choose a language acquisition program that best suits their child. Norris School District offers a Structured English Immersion program for all English learners — a program in which nearly all classroom instruction is provided in English, but with a curriculum and presentation designed for pupils who are learning English.

A response from the LEA is required when the parents of 30 pupils or more per school, or 20 pupils or more in any grade in a school, request a new language acquisition program (EC Section 310[a]). Parents interested in establishing a new language acquisition program may submit a written request to the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Michele Bryant, at the NSD district office, or complete the Google Form below.

Resources for families to understand English proficiency and state assessment score reports.

ELAC meeting dates are posted on each school's web page. Each California public school with 21 or more English learners must form an English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).

The ELAC is responsible for:

• Advising the principal and staff in the development of a site plan for English learners and submitting the plan to the School Site Council for consideration of inclusion in the School Plan for Student Achievement.
• Assisting in the development of the school-wide needs assessment.
• Ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
• Electing at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC). Districts with 31 or more ELACs may use a system of proportional or regional representation.

Composition: Parents or guardians of English learners shall constitute at least the same percentage of the ELAC membership as their children represent of the student body. Parents or guardians of English learners elect the parent members of ELAC and shall be provided the opportunity to vote in the election.

Training: ELAC members receive training materials and training to assist them in carrying out their advisory responsibilities, planned in full consultation with committee members.

Legal References: California Education Code §§ 35147, 52176(b) and (c), 62002.5, and 64001(a); Title 5 CCR § 11308.

Each California public school district with 51 or more English learners must form a District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) unless the district designates for this purpose a subcommittee of an existing districtwide advisory committee.

The DELAC advises the school district governing board on at least the following:

1. Development of a district master plan for education programs and services for English learners, taking into consideration the school site master plans.
2. Conducting a districtwide needs assessment on a school-by-school basis.
3. Establishing district program goals and objectives for programs and services for English learners.
4. Developing a plan to ensure compliance with any applicable teacher and/or teacher aide requirements.
5. Review and comment on the school district reclassification procedures.
6. Review and comment on the written notifications required to be sent to parents and guardians.
7. If the DELAC acts as the English learner parent advisory committee under EC §§ 52063(b)(1) and 52062(a)(2), the DELAC also reviews and comments on the development or annual update of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

Composition: Parents or guardians of English learners shall constitute the majority membership (51 percent or more) of the committee. Each school's ELAC has the opportunity to elect at least one of its members to be a site representative DELAC member.

Training: The district provides DELAC members with appropriate training materials and training to assist them in carrying out their advisory responsibilities.

We invite all parents and guardians to attend the DELAC meetings. DELAC meeting dates, times, and location are sent via ParentSquare at least 72 hours ahead of each meeting. For more information, please contact the EL Department at 661-387-7000.

Legal References: California Education Code §§ 35147, 52062(a)(2), 52063(b), 52069, 62002.5, and 64001(a); Title 5 CCR §§ 11308 and 15495(b). Under LCFF, districts with at least 50 English learners and whose total enrollment includes at least 15% English learners must establish a DELAC that carries out specific responsibilities related to the LCAP.