English Learner and Master Plan Updates: Progress and New Goals

GO Fresno | September 6, 2024

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GO Fresno’s English Learner Community Action Team (EL-CAT) kicked off their first meeting of the school year on 9/4 with a visit from Erica Piedra, Executive Officer of English Learner Services for Fresno Unified. Erica’s presentation (English/Spanish) shared data and updates related to English learners and progress on implementing FUSD’s Master Plan for English Learner Success.

A few data highlights from the presentation:   

• FUSD’s reclassification rate rose significantly in 2023-24 to 13%, compared to 7.3% the previous years.  
• The preliminary results of the ELPAC assessment from spring 2024 show largely similar results to the prior year, but with slightly more students scoring at level 1 and slightly fewer students scoring at level 4.  (Look out for updates from GO about this data in October, when the final/public ELPAC and SBAC results are released by the state). 
• Participation in Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs continues to grow.  Programming is particularly expanding in the upper grades, with a new Hmong program at Sequoia Middle school, Spanish DLI expanded up middle school grades at Wawona, and strong DLI enrollment numbers among freshmen at McLane High.

Erica also shared updates specific to FUSD’s Master Plan for English Learner Success, which is entering its second year of implementation. A new version of the plan is due October 1, with the updated data.  There are three key goals for this 24-25 school year, based on the 5 year goals in the plan:

• A minimum of 55% of ELs will increase one ELPI level on the California School Dashboard.
• Reduce the number of ELs who enter middle school classified as Long-term English Learners (LTELs)
• Increase the number of students participating in language programs (e.g., DLI, heritage courses, after school language programs) by 10%.

We will monitor these metrics and continue to provide updates as data is released.  In November, we will be releasing our Forward Together: A Parent’s Guide to Reclassification, which will dive deeply into the reclassification process, providing actionable tips and accessible data for families of English learners in Fresno.