English learners: reclassification: English language proficiency assessment.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details about the criteria other than the test score or exact funding amounts that will be reimbursed by the state.

English Learners: Reclassification Based on Proficiency Test

This law changes how English learners are reclassified as proficient in English based on their test scores and other criteria starting July 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

• Requires school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to assess the English language skills of students who are learning English.
• Sets rules for when a student can be moved from being an 'English learner' to being 'proficient in English'.
• Changes these rules starting July 1, 2026, so that if a student scores at least 3H on the ELPAC, they can be reclassified as proficient.
• Requires students to meet other criteria set by the State Department of Education in addition to their test score.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students who are learning English
• School districts, county offices of education, and charter schools

Terms To Know

English Learner Progress Indicator (ELPI)

A score that shows how well an English learner is doing in their language development.

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

Tests used to measure the English skills of students who are learning English.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what other criteria must be met besides the test score.
• It is unclear how much additional funding will be needed for local educational agencies due to this change.

Official Summary Text

AB 1360, as introduced, Arambula.
English learners: reclassification: English language proficiency assessment.
Existing law requires each school district that has one or more pupils who are English learners, and, to the extent required by federal law, each county office of education and each charter school, to assess the English language development of each pupil in order to determine the pupil’s level of proficiency, as specified. Existing law requires the State Department of Education, with the approval of the State Board of Education, to establish procedures for conducting the assessment and for the reclassification of a pupil from English learner to English proficient. Existing law requires those reclassification procedures to use multiple criteria in determining whether to reclassify a pupil as proficient in English, including, among other things, an assessment of language proficiency using the English language development test that is developed or acquired by the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, as provided.
This bill would, commencing July 1, 2026, require the reclassification procedures developed by the department to authorize an English learner to be reclassified if the English learner achieves an English Learner Progress Indicator score of 3H or above on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California and the English learner also satisfies the other multiple measures criteria developed by the department, as specified. To the extent this bill would impose additional duties 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 the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF