Dear County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators:

Updated English Learner Identification Process for Unduplicated Pupil Count

The California Department of Education (CDE) is providing updated guidance regarding English learner (EL) identification and the calculation of the Unduplicated Pupil Count (UPC) used for Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) supplemental and concentration grant funding.

Beginning with the 2026–27 Fall 1 cohort and going forward, CDE is permanently revising the timeframe used to determine EL status for purposes of calculating an LEA’s UPC.

This change will ensure that LEAs receive appropriate funding for eligible students enrolled and served during the school year, including students who are enrolled in the LEA on Census Day but whose EL identification is completed after Census Day.

Importantly, this change will not reduce LEAs’ state or federal funding, and LEAs should be aware that the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) Report 1.17 will not immediately reflect the revised calculation described below.

Updated Process Beginning in 2026–27

Pursuant to Education Code section 42238.02, CDE is revising the procedures and timeframes used to determine EL status for purposes of calculating the UPC.

Beginning with the 2026–27 Fall 1 cohort and continuing in future years:

• A student must be enrolled in the LEA on or before Fall 1 Census Day.
• An EL identification resulting from an initial English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) reported in CALPADS between the student’s enrollment date/pre-enrollment date and the Fall 1 initial certification deadline will be identified as an EL on Census Day for purposes of calculating the LEA’s UPC percentage.
  • For 2026–27, this means an eligible student enrolled on October 7, 2026, who is determined via the initial ELPAC or initial Alternative ELPAC to be an EL by the December 11, 2026, Fall 1 initial certification deadline will be included as an EL in the LEA’s First Principal Apportionment (P1) UPC calculation.
• This methodology will continue for future Fall 1 collections using the applicable Census Day and initial certification deadline for P1 each year.

This change recognizes that an LEA’s responsibility to serve an English learner does not begin or end on Census Day. A student who is enrolled by Census Day and subsequently identified as an English learner during the Fall 1 reporting period remains a student for whom the LEA provides services during the school year. As a best practice, the CDE recommends LEAs provide students with a language other than English indicated on the home language survey with EL programs and services no later than the date on which a student reaches 30 days of enrollment until the Initial ELPAC or Initial Alternate ELPAC is administered and the official results are generated.

No Impact to State or Federal Funding

LEAs will not lose state or federal funding as a result of the current testing and data processing delays.

For LCFF purposes, CDE will apply the revised methodology described above so that eligible students identified as English learners by the Fall 1 initial certification deadline are appropriately reflected in the UPC calculation used for supplemental and concentration grant funding.

The change is permanent and will apply beginning with the current 2026–27 Fall 1 cohort and in future years.

CALPADS Report 1.17 Will Not Update Immediately

LEAs should be aware that CALPADS Report 1.17 will not immediately reflect this revised methodology.

The current report logic reflects EL status based on an EL identification resulting from a qualifying English language proficiency assessment reported in CALAPDS as of Census Day. As a result, an LEA’s Report 1.17 may not initially include students who are identified as English learners based on assessments completed after Census Day but qualify for inclusion under the revised methodology.

LEAs should not interpret the initial Report 1.17 as the final determination of the EL students who will be included in the LEA’s UPC calculation.

CDE will provide additional guidance regarding how and when the revised counts will be reflected and any steps LEAs may need to take.

EL Assessment Requirements Remain in Effect

This policy change applies specifically to EL status for purposes of calculating the UPC and LCFF funding. It does not change existing state or federal requirements for the timely assessment and identification of English learners.

LEAs should continue to administer the required initial ELPAC within applicable timelines to the extent possible.

CDE recognizes that the current interruption in testing and data processing may affect LEAs’ ability to meet those requirements. Any compliance implications related to assessment timelines are separate from the UPC funding calculation and will be addressed through additional guidance as appropriate.

Affected Testing Data Processing Activities

CDE will continue to provide LEAs with updates regarding the resumption of affected testing and data processing activities. The latest information and guidance are available at https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/in/ets-incident.asp.

Questions regarding CALPADS may be directed to the CALPADS Office at calpads@cde.ca.gov. Service and support questions may be directed to the CALPADS-CSIS Service Desk at calpads-support@cde.ca.gov or call (916) 325-9210.

Thank you,

Mary Nicely
Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction
California Department of Education

Kimberly Rosenberger
Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction
California Department of Education