English Learner
Advisory Committee
(ELAC)
Folsom Cordova
Unified School District
What is an ELAC?
A group of parents of English learners and
school staff who meet a few times a year.
A group that advises the principal and
school staff about programs for English
learners.
A group that may organize parent nights
or other activities.
Why?
California law: The school reported more
than 20 English learners in the previous
March census.
Good outcome: The principal and staff
want to understand the opinions of
parents of English learners as they plan
the school’s programs.
Who?
At least two parents of English learners
and one school staff member.
An English learner is a student who does not
yet have fluent skills in listening/speaking,
reading, or writing English. This is determined
by a statewide test.
How?
Parents agree to be on the ELAC.
Parents’ names written on a ballot, and
are sent to the homes of English learners
at the school.
Parents are asked to mark their choice
and return the ballot to school.
How many?
There are at least two (2) meetings per
year at the school.
There are also two (2) meetings at the
district level that members are
encouraged to attend.
Members serve for two (2) years.
What do members do?
Advise the principal and staff on the needs of
English learners.
Send ideas to the district committee.
Advise the principal and staff on the planned
strategies to help English learners.
Review data about children who speak another
language at home.
Help parents understand the importance of
regular school attendance.
What else?
ELAC members may find other ways to
really contribute. For example:
Plan parent nights for learning about schoolrelated topics.
Help choose materials for the library about
language/cultural groups.
Develop a list of parents and others who
could come talk to classes about their
backgrounds.
And….?
Develop a list of cultural performers.
Help with an after-school language club.
Help make the front office decoration familiar
and friendly to parents from other languages
and cultures.
Help staff understand differences within the
language group.
Participate in multicultural activities.
And….
(here are more ideas the group thought
of)
This year’s meetings will be:
(choose dates)
Finally…
The district employs many people from the
major languages and cultures who help us with
better understanding. However, many of them
are not parents of our students. We really need
YOU. We need your ideas. We’ll provide you
with friendly help and language support until you
feel very comfortable. Please help us help your
children better.