Message to Latino immigrant parents who study at public Schools

[Author]Elisa Rodríguez Furey
Facilitator for the Parents for Public Schools
[/Author]
Dear parents, Parents for Publics Schools of San Francisco (PPS-SF) is asking for your immediate attention to inform you about the new changes for funding San Francisco’s public schools. PPS-SF is committed to inform our Hispanic community of the new financial changes in the public schools in San Francisco and we want to make sure Latino families know that they have a right to express their thoughts on what is working or what needs improving in our city schools.
Many of our Latino students are English Learners. There will be additional funding to support these students to succeed academically across California’s school districts. Each year, a subset of English Learners are evaluated on their English language ability through a proficiency assessment called the CELDT (California English Language Development Test). Students who pass the test are reclassified as Proficient English students. It is imperative that our children get reclassified in order to help them expand their education options during their education period.
As a parent, do you know if your child’s school is preparing him or her to pass the CELDT test? Do you have access to information or are able to participate in your child’s school? What is happening at your school in terms of the school climate and student access? How is the school supporting our English Learner students in other academic areas such as math, science, and language arts? How is your school site implementing the new Common Core Standards and how is it making sure it will provide English Learners with the help they need?
How this change in funding will impact San Francisco’s public schools
California’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) was signed into law by Governor Brown in July 2013. Under enactment of the law, three distinct changes will occur. First, districts will receive increased support from the state in terms of resources, with “full funding” being reached across districts by 2020. Second, districts will have more flexibility in how funds are used across school sites; with additional funding being allocated to support students from low-income backgrounds, English learners, and foster youth. Lastly, districts will be requi ed to be more transparent with key constituencies – students, families, teachers, and the broader community – about how resources are being distributed and what student outcomes are being reached with these funds.
What is the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)?
With this added flexibility comes additional accountability. To ensure accountability toward student outcomes under the LCFF, districts will be required to design and implement a district-wide plan known as a Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP will comprise the district’s thinking regarding how they will use state funds toward services and programs that help students be successful. The LCAP creation process will require districts to work with parents, teachers, students and other community members to make sure the plan reflects what they think is important.
Each district’s LCAP has to include three general kinds of information: First, each district will be required to explain how their communities were engaged in the process. Important evidence will include what types of engagement opportunities were designed and facilitated in cultivating stakeholder input. Second, the district will be mandated to include information describing the district’s goals and indicators of success. Third, a description of the services districts will provide students, along with its funding stream, will be required.
What is the timeline?
Districts have until July 1st to finalize and approve their district LCAPs before budgets are approved for the 2014-2015 school year. On May 22, the San Francisco Unified School District will present the first draft of the LCAP at an open meeting. The meeting will be held at 555 Franklin Street in the main boardroom and will begin at 6pm. This meeting will be an opportunity for parents and community members to provide written feedback on the LCAP. The Board of Education will vote to approve the LCAP at an open Board of Education meeting on June 24.
What can I do as a Latino parent to get involved?
You can attend the next LCAP open meeting on May 22 at the San Francisco Unified School District. The meeting will be held at 555 Franklin Street in the main boardroom and will begin at 6 p.m. You can share prepared remarks on the LCAP and learn more about what is happening.
You can also get more information at your school with the staff at your school site.
You can visit the SFUSD web site www.sfusd.edu
You can contact PPS-SF at www.ppssf.org or 415-861-7077 if you have any questions.