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District

Emerging Bilinguals / English Learner Resources

ENGLISH LEARNER INFORMATION

As of 2017-18, all California school districts are required to use the English Language Assessment for California (ELPAC) to determine initial English language proficiency and to monitor annual progress in acquiring the English language for returning English learners. The ELPAC replaced California English Language Development Test (CELDT). No other test results can be substituted for the ELPAC and there is no provision in the law allowing students to waive this assessment.

New students are tested with the Initial ELPAC assessment within the first 30 days of enrolling in a California public school. Returning English learners are tested in the annual Summative testing window (February 1 – May 31). School districts mail completed ELPAC tests to the state for official scoring by the end of May. Typically, the state requires 6-8 weeks after the administration of the test to return official scores to the district. Parents receive notification of official ELPAC results within 30 days of the district receiving the official scores from the state.

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

Parents and students are welcome to review the ELPAC Practice Tests.

ELPAC Parent Guide to Understanding ELPAC 

A Guide to Understanding Your Student Score Report English

A Guide to Understanding Your Student Score Report Spanish

ENGLISH LEARNER MASTER PLAN

The purpose of Martinez Unified’s English Learner (EL) Master Plan is to guide all educational partners toward an aligned set of practices, services, and approaches that support multilingual students. This document also outlines our district’s commitment to build capacity beyond compliance to ensure sustained academic achievement, English language acquisition, multilingualism, and success for all students.

MUSD EL Master Plan (English)

MUSD EL Master Plan (Spanish)

Identification of English Learners

As part of initial school enrollment, all parents enrolling a child in a California public K-12 school for the first time are required by state and federal law to complete a Home Language Survey. If the information provided by parents on the Home Language Survey indicates a language other than English in the home or in the child’s background, the school is required by state and federal law to test the student for English language proficiency. Parents cannot waive the English language assessment, as it is both a federal and state requirement.1

If a student is transferring to MUSD from another California public school, English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) results from the previous district are valid and may eliminate the need for initial English proficiency screening a second time. Parents may provide a copy of the most recent official ELPAC results at the time of enrollment to MUSD.   

California Department of Education EL forms page.

Seal of Biliteracy

The Martinez Unified School District proudly recognizes students who demonstrate linguistic proficiency in English and at least one other world language.

Seal of Biliteracy 

The California Seal of Biliteracy is a state awards program to recognize high school students for their accomplishments in language studies and proficiency. The program:

  • Encourages students to continue language study;
  • Celebrates the achievement of students who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in two or more languages;
  • Recognizes the value of cultural and language diversity in our community; and
  • Promotes global citizenship and development of skills necessary for the 21st century.

The Martinez Unified School District is pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate our students and their language achievements. Students who meet the eligibility criteria for the Seal of Biliteracy will receive a special seal with their high school diploma and are recognized during Senior Awards Night with a certificate and stole to wear at graduation. 

California State Seal of Biliteracy

Eligibility Criteria 

English Language Proficiency

Option A - Coursework: Complete all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in those classes; or

Option B - Assessment (One of the following criteria need to be met):

  1. State Assessment: Pass the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP/SBAC) for English language arts administered in grade 11, at or above the “standard met” achievement level.
  2. Advanced Placement (AP) Assessment: Pass an English AP examination with a score of 3 or higher (AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature or Composition).
  3. SAT: Achieve a score of 480 or above on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT.

Additional Requirement for English Language Learner Students: In addition to the requirements mentioned above, students who are classified as English learners must attain an oral language composite score of level 4 on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).

World Language Fluency

Option A - Coursework: Successful completion of a four-year high school course of study in a world language with a minimum 3.0 GPA and oral proficiency in that language comparable to that required to pass an AP examination or 

Option B - Assessment 

  1. Pass a world language AP examination with a score of “3” or higher

 

Resources

ELD Printable Choice Boards

ELS Standards

ELD Lesson Menus