English learners: identification: notice.

Existing law requires each school district to make a determination of the primary language of a pupil when the pupil enrolls in the school district and requires each parent or guardian of a pupil enrolled in a public school to receive notice of an assessment of a pupil's English proficiency no later than 30 days after the start of the school year that includes, among other things, the reason for the pupil's classification as an English learner. This bill would require the notice of assessment of a child's English proficiency to include specified additional information, including whether a child is a long-term English learner or is an English learner at risk of becoming a long-term English learner. The bill would require a school district to provide a notification letter to a pupil's parent or guardian at the time a home language survey is provided that explains the purpose of the home language survey and the procedures for identification and reclassification of English learners. The bill would require the State Department of Education to make a sample notification letter available to public schools. Because the bill would impose additional requirements on local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.