Parent Training

Responsibilities of the Academic English Learner Advisory

Committee

(ELAC)

“Parent involvement is most successful when it is

viewed, practiced and promoted as a partnership between the home and the

school”

When does an ELAC Committee need to be established?

Whenever there are 21 or more Academic English Learners at a school there shall be a functioning ELAC.

(EC 62002.5)

It is a means for parents to receive training.

It is a means for parents to receive information on programs and their effectiveness.

It is a way for parents to participate.

It is a way to become aware of student academic progress.

Parents have an opportunity to ask key questions regarding educational themes and issues.

It is a way for parents to exercise leadership before district and site staff, and students.

Parents have an active voice in the education of their children.

Advise the principal and school staff on the school’s program for Academic English learners.

Advise the School Site Council on the development of the Single School Plan for Student Achievement.

AEL Contact Note: ELAC Meeting Parent Advice SSC

Meeting Minutes from BOTH meetings must reflect this.

Assist in the development of the school’s

Needs assessment

Language census

Efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.

President Develop agendas with principal or

designee. Conduct the ELAC meetings.

Vice-President Assist the president in conducting the

meetings. Conduct meetings in the absence of the

president.

Secretary Attend ELAC meetings. Take notes during the meeting and

prepare the minutes.

DELAC Representative Attend DELAC meetings. Issue a report of the DELAC meeting at

ELAC meetings.

Elect members to the committee. NOTE: ELAC member

candidates understand expectations for the position.

Elect at least one representative to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).

The DELAC representative is NOT automatically the ELAC president.

Participate in the trainings provided by the site.

With ELAC members, arrange dates and locations for the meetings.

Work with parents on this, as this is really their meeting and not ours. They should determine the best time/s for their meetings.

Work with ELAC members to develop meeting agendas.

This can be done with a parent survey or by asking for training suggestions during a meeting.

We recommend that on each agenda, Topics for future agendas” is listed as an agenda item, so that the site can document that trainings are planned in consultation with parents.

Provide training to help parents carry out their responsibilities as a committee.

Ensure that all legal requirements are completed each year.

Ensure that parents have an opportunity to elect ELAC members, and choose at least one DELAC representative.

Notify the parents of the upcoming meetings and announce them publicly 72 hours in advance.

May support ELAC meetings by providing as needed:• An interpreter whenever necessary• Childcare• Transportation• Meals• Training

Unity creates power, and by working together as

parents and educators, we can ensure a quality

learning environment for our English Learners.