A review of year 2 LCAPs: A weak response to English Learners

Authors

Laurie Olsen Ph.D., Director, Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) Program, Sobrato Family Foundation
Elvira G. Armas Ed.D., Director, Center for Equity for English Learners Loyola Marymount UniversityFollow
Magaly Lavadenz Ph.D., Professor, Department of Educational Leadership Director, Center for Equity for English Learners Loyola Marymount UniversityFollow

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Abstract

A panel of 32 reviewers analyzed the Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs) of same sample of 29 districts for the second year of implementation of the 2013 California Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). Using the same four questions as the Year 1 report, the Year 2 analysis also addresses the key differences between first and second-year LCAPs. Key findings from the Year 2 LCAPs review include: (1) similarly weak responses to the needs of ELs by LEAs in Year 2; (2) some improvement in clarity about services provided to ELs in some areas, though most evidence was weak; (3) minimal attention to the new English Language Development Standards; (4) minimal investment in teacher capacity building to address EL needs; (5) lack of attention to coherent programs, services and supports for ELs and failure to address issues of program and curriculum access; (6) weak engagement of ELs’ parents in LCAP process and content of LCAP plans; (7) poor employment of EL data to inform LCAP goals and weak use of EL indicators as an LCAP accountability component; (8) lack of specificity in describing district services and site allocations for supplemental and concentration funding; and (9) difficulty identifying the coherence of responses of EL needs in year 2 LCAPs. Overall, the analysis of the 29 LCAPs continue to signal a weak response to EL needs. The authors reassert the urgency of the recommendations in the Year 1 report, offer additional specific recommendations for the state, county offices of education, and districts, and call upon the state to reaffirm the equity commitment in the LCFF design.

Publication Date

2016

Disciplines

Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | Educational Administration and Supervision | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Educational Leadership

Recommended Citation for Full Report

Olsen, L., Armas, E., & Lavadenz, M. (2016). A review of year 2 LCAPs: A weak response to English Learners. Californians Together. 10.15365/ceel.LCAP2016.1