The enactment of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) provisions has created a new landscape for California school finance. Much confusion exists about what the impact of LCFF is on district responsibilities regarding programs for English Learners (EL). In addition, California Rural Legal assistance (CRLA), California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE and Californians Together sent a letter to all district and county superintendents as a reminder of the continuing state and federal obligations with respect to both programs and funding of services of EL. Download the full letter below and a power point to explain the content of the letter. Californians Together, CRLA, CABE and California Latino School Boards Association have been providing workshops for DELAC members and parent leaders across the state. Below are resources from the training and tools that can be used with parents and educators.LCFF Superintendent Letter LCFF Powerpoint LCFF for Parent Training PPT in Spanish LCFF for Parent Training PPT in English Suggested Roles for DELACs – English Suggested Roles for DELACs -Spanish EL Strategies aligned to 8 State Priorities – English EL Strategies aligned to 8 state priorities – Spanish UCP Complaint Form aligned to LCFF – English UCP Complaint Form aligned to LCFF – Spanish
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Local Control Funding Formula
The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is a new school finance system. Schools no longer receive funding through the Economic Impact Aid for English learners. There are many details to the new LCFF that not been determined and will be developed through regulations, template and rubrics to be adopted by the State Board of Education. We will continue to add new information and documents to this posting as they become available. There is a need to ask questions, and be informed about this significant change in school funding in order to protect and advocate for “increased program and services” for English learners as required by the state statue.
Californians Together Input to SBE on LCFF CDE and SBE Implementation Letter ACSA,CASBO, CSBA Letter ACLU LCFF Information Handout LCFF Coalition Press Release LCFF Coalition Letter to Supt. LCFF Coalition Letter to SBE 8/13
Common Core and English Learners Workshop
“Academic English for English Learners Through the $0Listening and Speaking Common Core Standards” Grades 4 -12 The Common Core Listening and Speaking Standards provide opportunities for active student engagement through oral language development. This session will present scaffolding strategiesto provide English learners support and access to these standards. The session will focus on building academic language essential to the Common Core Standards. Through interactive participation, viewing and reflecting on video lessons, participants will leave with knowledge ofthe standards and instructional strategies unique to the language and academic needs of English learners. Presented by: Dr. Ivannia Soto Hinman Author and Associate Professor Whittier College and Shelly Spiegel-Coleman Executive Director, Californians Together November 21, 2013 Oakland Asian Cultural Center – Auditorium 388 9th St. – second floor Oakland, Ca 94607 510-637-0455 Register online at http://tinyurl.com/kuh5qsa or download the registration brochure
Brownley Puts the California Seal of Biliteracy on the National Stage
Oppose Elimination of Spanish Language Arts Achievement Assessments
On Wednesday, May 1, 2013, AB 484 (Bonilla) will be heard and voted on in the Assembly Education Committee. This bill would reauthorize many state assessments while eliminating others by suspending these tests. A test to be eliminated by suspension includes the Standards Test in Spanish (STS) for next year. AB 484 calls for an extend process, if funding is available for this purpose, to decide whether it is needed or necessary to develop a new Spanish Academic Achievement test. The uncertainty of whether there will be a Spanish academic test and/or when it would be implemented is a major catastrophe for English Learners.
Californians Together has a position of oppose unless amended on AB 484 in order to address the two issues of primary language assessment for English learners. We need everyone to download the letter below and email a copy to Assembly Member Joan Buchanan, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee at [email protected]
Oppose Diminished Services and Programs for English Learners
The governor has proposed a new education funding formula for California schools called the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). His intent is to equalize the funding across districts and give additional funds to support services for English learners, poor students and foster youth. This would repeal the Economic Impact Aid (EIA) and replace it with the LCFF. On first blush this makes sense. But there are significant problems with the formula and its impact on English learners. We need each of you to sign the letter attached below (you may personalize) and send it to Assembly Member Joan Buchanan, Chair of Assembly Education. The letter needs to arrive by Friday, May 3, 2013.