Updated FUSD Master Plan for English Learner Success Now Available

GO Fresno | March 18, 2025

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Why Regular Updates Matter

Updating the master plan regularly ensures it remains accurate, relevant, and actionable. Too often, districts create plans like this but fail to revisit them for years, allowing them to become outdated and forgotten.  We applaud FUSD for their commitment to maintaining this master plan as a “living document,” ensuring it remains accurate and useful.

Key Updates in the New Edition

• Updated Data: District demographics, English learners in FUSD, and school-site breakdowns of English learners (p. 4-6).

• Dual Language Instruction (DLI): Revised expansion timeline and participating sites (p. 23-24).

• Heritage Language Programs: Fewer sites and languages now included in after-school offerings (p. 42).

• Newcomer Student Support: Introduction of the Mentorship and Advancement for Newcomer Youth (MANY) program (p. 42 & 86).

• Reclassification and Progress Data: In 2023, 46.8% of English learners made progress on the ELPAC, which was an increase of 2.5 percentage points from the year prior. (p. 66) However, the newest ELPI results from the 2023-24 school year show that this number has since decreased to 40.2% (For more details, see GO’s Guide to the California School Dashboard).  

• IEP Reclassiciation Pathways: Clarified alignment with state policies for English learners with IEPs (p. 70-72). (For additional resources, see Forward, Together: A Parent’s Guide to Reclassification, to learn more about supports and rights for these “dually identified” students).

• DELAC Elections: Added details and information related to elections for the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) (p.77).

These updates help to ensure the master plan remains a vital resource for families and educators supporting the success of English learners. 

Opportunities to Further Strengthen the Plan

While this update is a great step forward, we see additional opportunities to strengthen the district’s efforts: 

• Prioritize a Hmong translation of the Master Plan and update the Spanish translation. The district’s webpage for the master plan has stated for over a year that a Hmong translation is “coming soon,” yet no edition has been released. With 10% of ELs in FUSD being from Hmong-speaking families, it is vital for Hmong families to have this resource in their home language. This is important for all district resources, but particularly for resources related to ELs. Additionally, the Spanish-language version should be updated to reflect the latest revisions. 

• Provide reflections on the data and next steps for improvement. The master plan sets an ambitious goal for 64.3% of students to make annual progress on the ELPAC, as measured by the English Learner Progress Indicator (ELPI). While progress rose to 46.8% in 2023, it declined to 40.2% in 2024. What steps will FUSD take to get back on track and accelerate progress toward this goal?
• Ensure that Chapter 3: Quality Instruction and Curriculum is also updated. While this chapter is thorough and well-developed, it appears unchanged in the update. Given the district’s commitment to continuous improvement, this section should also be reviewed and revised as needed. 

Continued Advocacy and Collaboration

GO Public Schools Fresno’s Community Action Team on English Learner issues, a group of parents and community members advocating for ELs in the district, will continue to monitor the implementation of the master plan and looks forward to continued  partnership with the district around this. If you’d like to get involved, reach out to Sade Williams, South Valley Director, at swilliams@gopublicschools.org.