Language Census Instructional Materials

The Language Census is an annual data collection administered in March that collects the following data elements: number of English learner (EL) students (formerly known as limited English-proficient [LEP]) and fluent English-proficient (FEP) students in California public schools (kindergarten through grade twelve) by grade and primary language other than English; number of EL students enrolled in specific instructional settings or services by type of setting or service; number of students reclassified from EL to FEP from the prior year; number of parental waivers submitted and granted; and the number of staff providing instructional services to EL students. 

Important Dates

Coordinators/Contacts

• Language Census Coordinator Login Page
  Allows you to update your contact information, view a list of schools expected to submit Language Census data, submit data for a district that does not have EL or FEP students, and view Language Census data prior to certification. Note, not all options are available throughout the year.

Software

The Language Census Data Entry Assistant Software (LCDEA) is used by districts to submit Language Census data for the schools in their district, including charter schools.

• Software News
  Allows you to get software instructional documents, download the software, and get updates/patches to the software.

Forms and Instructional Materials

• Language Census Form (R30-LC), Spring 2008 (DOC; 251KB; 4pp.)
• Language Census Instructions, Spring 2008 (DOC; 688KB; 28pp.)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Common Misunderstandings Associated with Reporting Language Census Data
• Prior Years Language Census Forms and Materials
• Data Modification Policy for CBEDS and LC

Training Materials

The following training materials are to be used as a guide when completing spring 2008 Language Census data. These trainings are intended for districts that submit their Language Census data to the CDE using the LCDEA software. Districts that report their Language Census data through the California School Information Services (CSIS) state reporting system may benefit from the general information or may find the training useful in reporting data for charter schools that are not participating with the district in the CSIS state reporting system. CSIS state reporting should not be confused with the CSIS Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) project (Outside Source) which is another program conducted by CSIS in which all districts participate.

• Language Census Overview (Flash)
  Accessible Alternate Version of the Language Census Overview
  Overview of what the Language Census is and instructions on how to complete and submit Language Census data to the CDE.
• Software Demonstration (Flash)
  Accessible Alternate Version of the Language Census Software Demonstration
  Demonstration and instructions on how to use the LCDEA software. This demonstration does not pertain to CSIS state reporting districts unless there are charter schools that are not included in the district's CSIS submission.

Letters

• Language Census Late Letter (Dated 16-April-2008)
• Language Census Late Letter for CSIS State Reporting Districts with Non-Participating Charters (Dated 16-April-2008)
• Language Census Mailing of Materials Letter (Dated 1-Feb 2008)
• Language Census Mailing of Materials Letter for CSIS State Reporting Districts (Dated 2-Feb-2008)
• Language Census Contact Survey, Spring 2008 for Districts Submitting to the CDE (Dated 15-Nov-2007)
• Language Census Contact Survey, Spring 2008 for CSIS State Reporting Districts (Dated 15-Nov-2007)

Information on California School Information Services (CSIS) State Reporting

CSIS is designed to help schools and districts establish student level databases and electronically transfer, aggregate, and report student data. Districts that participate in CSIS first undergo a parallel submission process by submitting data to CDE and to CSIS. If the district's data are comparable, the district will discontinue future data submissions to the CDE and only submit data through CSIS.

It is very important for Language Census and CSIS Coordinators to work closely together during the parallel submission. If you do not know who the Language Census Coordinator for your district is, please contact the Educational Demographics Office at 916-327-0219 for assistance. If you do not know who the CSIS Coordinator for your district is, please contact the Education Data Office at 916-324-6738 for assistance.

For information and documentation on the CSIS project, please visit the following Web sites:

• CDE-CSIS
• CSIS Program Web Site (Outside Source)
• Annual Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) Maintenance (Outside Source)

Other Resources for English Learners

• DataQuest - Get reports on English learners.
• Program information for English learners
• Ethnologue - Languages of the World (Outside Source)
• U.S. Department of Education (Outside Source)
  How many school-aged English learner (formerly know as limited-English-proficient) students are there in the United States? How many in each state?