District English Language Advisory Committee
District English Advisory Commitee
English Learner Masterplan
7 people saying hello in Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, Filipino, Vietnamese, Samoan and English
District English Language Advisory Committee
We celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lau vs Nichols!, a groundbreaking win for families in San Francisco and all over the United States of America in providing our students English Language instruction with support and materials. The District English Language Advisory Committee focuses on ensuring that families of English Learners advise the school district and governing board on the following:
Development of a district master plan for education programs and services for English learners. The district master plan will take into consideration the school site master plans.
Conducting of a district wide needs assessment on a school-by-school basis.
Establishment of district program, goals, and objectives for programs and services for English learners.
Development of a plan to ensure compliance with any applicable teacher and/or teacher aide requirements.
Review and comment on the school district reclassification procedures.
Review and comment on the written notifications required to be sent to parents and guardians.
If the DELAC acts as the English learner parent advisory committee under California Education Code Sections 52063(b)(1) and 52062(a)(2), the DELAC shall also review and comment on the development or annual update of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). *
California Department of Education: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/cr/delac.asp
As such, in a time when school closure and consolidation of programs are at hand, the School District and Board of Education are beholden to ensuring that the DELAC reviews and comments on criteria and any recommendations for the future.
As a testament of the impact of Lau vs. Nichols and in an educational landscape that is rapidly evolving to accommodate the diverse needs of its students, the voices of parents, particularly those of multilingual learners, are invaluable. These conversations shed light on the real-world experiences, challenges, and triumphs of families navigating multilingual education.
Recognizing this, we bring you an interview between two parents who share their insights and strategies for supporting their children's bilingual learning journey at home:
Parent 1: “How do you manage your child’s learning at home?”
Parent 2: “We’ve found a balance between languages, dedicating specific times for each and incorporating cultural stories and games. It’s been rewarding to see how this approach supports both language development and cultural identity.
What strategies have worked for you?”
Parent 1: “Much like you, we use books and music in our languages at home. It’s fascinating to observe the positive impact on their learning and self-confidence. Fostering an environment where they can celebrate their heritage is crucial for us.”
Parent 2: “That’s a great approach. Speaking of challenges, how do you address moments when your child might show a preference for one language over the other?”
Parent 1: “It’s a common phase, I believe. We try to gently encourage the use of both languages by involving them in activities that make the least preferred language fun and engaging, like storytelling sessions or interactive language apps. How about you? Any experiences with language preference?”
Parent 2: “Yes, we’ve encountered similar situations. We’ve found that consistency is key, along with positive reinforcement. Also, connecting with other families going through the same experience has provided us with additional strategies and reassurance.”
Parent 1: “Absolutely, the community aspect seems crucial. Transitioning a bit, how do you involve your children in understanding the value of being bilingual beyond just speaking two languages? I think it’s important they see the bigger picture.”
Parent 2: “That’s an insightful question. We discuss the benefits of being bilingual in terms of cultural understanding, career opportunities, and cognitive advantages. We also introduce them to bilingual role models in various fields to inspire them. Making them aware of the global community they’re part of has been eye-opening for them. How do you approach this with your family?”
Parent 1: “We take a similar path. Highlighting stories of multilingual individuals and their achievements helps a lot. We also encourage them to use their language skills in real-world situations, like ordering food in a restaurant or helping translate for someone, to give them a sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s about building confidence in their identity as bilingual individuals.”