The Role of English Learner Advisory Committees

English Learner Advisory Committee Officer Training 2013-2014 1

PURPOSE OF TODAYS TRAINING To review the roles and responsibilities of ELAC officers and members; To learn about state, and district policies for ELAC; and To understand how to hold effective meetings

WHAT IS THE CALIFORNIA STATE REQUIREMENT FOR ELAC?

CA STATE REQUIREMENT FOR ELAC California Code of Regulations Title 5 11308: Each school with 21 or more English learners must form an ELAC.

CA STATE REQUIREMENT FOR ELAC The ELAC advises and make recommendations on the following four (4) state required topics: 1. Importance of regular school attendance. 2. Language census [R-30]. 3. Needs assessment. 4. Development of the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)

WHAT DOES ELAC DO? ELAC provides written recommendations to the SSC regarding programs and services for EL students and the use of funding to support their academic needs. ELAC also serves to provide information and training to parents regarding the education of students who are English Learners.

WHAT LAUSD DOCUMENTS SUPPORT ELAC?

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Current District Policy on School Advisory Committees (BUL-5797.1) No Child Left Behind Section 1118. Parent Involvement School Single Plan for Student Achievement School budget related to programs and services for English Learners Bylaws & Parliamentary Procedures (Robert s Rules of Orders)

WHAT IS THE GREENE ACT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

GREENE ACT REQUIREMENTS All meetings must be open to the public and allow for public input. Meeting notices and agenda must be posted at least 72 hours in advance and posted at the school site or appropriate place accessible to the public.

GREENE ACT REQUIREMENTS Notice and agenda must include date, time, location of the meeting and the items to be discussed or acted upon. Action cannot be taken on items not posted on an agenda unless the agenda item (1) presents an urgent need for action; and (2) the item/issue was unknown at the time the agenda was posted. There must be a unanimous vote to include the item on the agenda.

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELAC OFFICERS?

ELAC OFFICERS RESPONSIBILITIES Perform the specific duties of your elected office Attend agenda planning meetings Include English Learner accountabilities and data on every ELAC agenda Vote on and present written recommendations to School Site Council (SSC) 2

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHAIRPERSON?

CHAIRPERSON Clearly communicates the purpose and work of the ELAC Knows and enforces ELAC bylaws Attends and participates in the Delegate Convening 3

CHAIRPERSON Presides over meetings Clarifies ambiguity and reduces conflict Politely asks colleagues to refrain from sidebar conversations Does not take sides; passes the gavel when taking a position or speaking on a matter 5

CHAIRPERSON Clearly announces items on the agenda Before all votes, restates the motion so everyone is clear about what is being voted on Confines the discussion to a motion and if the discussion is wandering, pull it back to the item at hand Announces a motion s results 4

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VICE- CHAIRPERSON?

VICE-CHAIRPERSON Presides when the Chairperson: Is absent Steps down temporarily Is being censured NOTE: The bylaws can identify the Vice- Chairperson as the successor of the Chairperson when the Chairperson resigns 6

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY?

SECRETARY Takes meeting minutes and signs them Prepares the sign-in sheet Maintains copies of all documentation Brings relevant documents to meeting 14

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARLIAMENTARIAN?

PARLIAMENTARIAN Assists the Chairperson in conducting the meetings in an orderly manner, serving as procedure advisor to the Chairperson Understands the Greene Act, parliamentary procedure (Robert's Rules of Order) and the ELAC bylaws Resolves questions of procedure, often with the help of Robert s Rules of Order book 15

WHY DO WE USE ROBERT S RULES OF ORDER?

ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER 1. Right of majority to make decisions 1. Right of minority to be heard 2. Rights of individual committee members to participate 2

WHAT IS THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND WHY DO WE NEED IT?

CODE OF CONDUCT We need a code of conduct to promote productive behavior among all members, to guarantee the right of every person to express differing views and perspectives and to support the purpose and mission of the committee. Refer to Attachment J of BUL-5797.1

WHAT RIGHTS DO WE HAVE?

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER RIGHTS To receive meeting notification and attend all meetings To introduce and second motions To speak on agenda items after first seeking recognition of chair To vote 3

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER RIGHTS Right to be heard and to voice their dissent Right to have their dissent noted in the record But, once dissent is given and vote taken, it is the decision of the collective body, even those who objected 3

WHAT IS QUORUM?

QUORUM Number of members that must be present to legally transact business Why? We don t want small, underrepresented groups making decisions for the entire group Quorum is 50% + 1 6

WHAT IS A MOTION AND HOW DO I MAKE ONE?

THE RIGHT TO MAKE A MOTION Matters must be considered one at a time To be in order, the motion must be directly related to the question under consideration Frivolous, vague, incoherent, and duplicative motions are out of order (ruling by chair) 7

THE RIGHT TO MAKE A MOTION Subsidiary motions, i.e., motions to postpone, refer to committee, table, etc. must directly relate to the main motion All motions need a second After a motion s first reading, the Chairperson should inquire, Is there any discussion? The maker of a motion has the first right to speak and to amend it 7

3-2-1 What are 3 things you learned? What 2 ideas do you have about your specific position? What is 1 goal you have for ELAC this school year?

Thank you for learning together today! 16