English learners: reclassification: English language proficiency assessment.

Assembly Member Arambula's proposal to modify California's English learner reclassification procedures establishes new standardized criteria for determining when students can transition from English learner status. The legislation sets a specific benchmark requiring students to achieve an English Learner Progress Indicator score of 3H or above on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California, while maintaining existing requirements for teacher evaluation, parental consultation, and basic skills performance comparisons.

The measure, which would take effect July 1, 2026, retains the current framework requiring school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to assess English learners' language development both upon initial enrollment and annually thereafter. Local educational agencies must continue conducting these assessments during a four-month period after January 1st as determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The bill specifies that students cannot be assessed more than once per school year for each assessment purpose, though agencies may opt to conduct additional testing.

As a state-mandated local program, the legislation provides for reimbursement to local educational agencies for costs associated with implementing the new assessment and reclassification procedures, pending determination by the Commission on State Mandates. The measure explicitly excludes transitional kindergarten enrollment from triggering initial assessment requirements.