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English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC)

 

Formation of Group
Each California Public School from Kindergarten through grade 12, with 21 or more English learners must form a functional English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC). The ELAC is a committee for parents or other community members who want to advocate for English Learners.
 

Major Function

The purpose of the ELAC (or subcommittee, if appropriate) is to advise the principal and school staff on programs and services for English learners and the SSC on the development of the Single School Plan for Student Achievement. The ELAC also assists the school on other tasks listed below
 

Essential Function

The committee advises and assists the school principal, staff and School Site Council (SSC) as follows:
  • The school’s program for English learners.
  • The development of the Single School Plan for Student Achievement.(BSC/SPSA)
  • The school’s needs assessment.
  • The school’s annual language census (R-30 LC Report).
  • Efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
 

Composition Requirements

The percentage of parents of English learners on the committee must be at least the same as that of English learners at the school.
 

Elections

Requirements for ELAC elections include:
  • Parents/guardians of English learners elect parent members of the school committee.
  • The parents/guardians are provided the opportunity to vote for committee members.
  • Each school committee shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).
 

Training

The district shall provide for all ELAC members:
  • Appropriate training and materials to assist each member to carry out his or her legally required advisory responsibilities.
  • Training planned in full consultation with ELAC members. ElA-LEP and/or district funds may be used to cover the costs of training and attendance of ELAC members (e.g., costs associated with childcare, translation services, meals, and other reasonable expenses).
 

Legal References

20 USC 6312[g][4]; E.C. Sections: 62002.5; 35147; 52176 and 52168; and Title 5. CCR, Section 11308

Frequently Asked Questions

Which schools are required to have an elected English Learner Advisory Committee?

Each school with 21 or more students of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in attendance, regardless of language, must form a functioning English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).
 

What is the role of the ELAC?

The role of the ELAC is to advise the principal and School Site Council on programs and services for English learners. The ELAC acts in an advisory capacity. It is not a decision making body, but it is the voice of the English learner community. Specifically the ELAC:
  • Advises on the development of services for English learners in the Balanced ScoreCard/Single Plan for Student Achievement (BSC/SPSA).
  • Assists in the development of the school’s needs assessment and efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
  • Has representation on District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).
 

What is the composition of the ELAC?

The ELAC membership must include parents of English learners (ELs), but may also include other duly elected family & community members. The percentage of parents of ELs who are elected must be at least equal to the percentage of English learners at the school site. For example, if 50% of the students at a given site are English learners, at least 50% of the membership of the ELAC must be parents of ELs. The remaining 50% of the committee members can be the principal, community members, teachers of participating students, instructional aides, parent liaisons, other parents and staff.
 

How are members elected to the ELAC?

Only parents of English Learners may vote for members of the ELAC. All parents of ELs must receive ballots.