AB 2555 Reclassification FAQs
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about reclassification of English learner (EL) students after the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 2555 in September 2026.These FAQs are intended to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) in implementing changes to California Education Code (EC) sections 51101, 51225.33, 313, 313.3, 313.4, 313.5, 313.6, 313.7, 313.8, and 313.9 as a result of AB 2555. Among other things, AB 2555 affects the reclassification process beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
The guidance below only addresses the immediate implementation of requirements reclassification as immediately required by AB 2555. It does not aim to fully address other provisions of AB 2555 that may become operational in school year 2027–28 and beyond. Future updates to these FAQs will address those requirements. Because this guidance is limited in scope, the CDE encourages LEAs to review the full text of AB 2555 with their local legal counsel to ensure they understand the implications of the bill.
Acronyms
Assembly Bill (AB); California Department of Education (CDE); California Education Code (EC); California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS); English learner (EL); English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC); frequently asked questions (FAQs); individualized education program (IEP); local educational agencies (LEAs); Performance Level (PL); State Board of Education (SBE); Student English Language Acquisition (SELA); student information systems (SIS); Test Operations Management System (TOMS)
Note on Guidance
The information below is intended as guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. The CDE recommends that LEAs discuss their specific situations with legal counsel to determine the most appropriate action in line with applicable state and federal requirements.
Reclassification Process
What has changed regarding reclassification for the 2026–27 school year?
Starting with school year 2026–27, EL students are eligible for reclassification once they meet the SBE approved threshold for the Summative ELPAC (Overall PL 4) or the Summative Alternate ELPAC (Overall PL 3). Eligibility can be determined using the 2025–26 administration of the Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC or future administrations.
Can a student be reclassified with less than a Summative ELPAC Overall PL 4 or a Summative Alternate ELPAC Overall PL 3?
No.
When can LEAs start relying solely on the Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC score (formerly Criterion 1) as the basis for reclassifying English Learner students?
AB 2555 included an urgency clause and became effective immediately upon being signed by the Governor. LEAs must start immediately reclassifying students using only Criterion 1.
What is the earliest date LEAs can use for reclassification of English Learner students using only Criterion 1?
LEAs may use September 27, 2026, when reclassifying EL students using only Criterion 1.
What date should be used for reclassification?
Should an LEA backdate reclassification to the date the student received a 4 on the Summative ELPAC or a 3 on the Summative Alternate ELPAC?
For 2025–26 Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC results, LEAs may use a reclassification date from September 27, 2026, through January 31, 2027, though it is recommended that students be reclassified as soon as possible.
When will EL students be automatically reclassified using their Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternative ELPAC scores?
AB 2555 (EC 313.4[2][A]) provides that students will automatically be reclassified beginning with the 2027–28 administration of the Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC.
Is a Reclassification form still needed to document reclassification of students based on their assessment score alone, pursuant to AB 2555?
To preserve the record of the reclassification, LEAs may continue to use their existing reclassification forms for the student's cumulative record. LEAs would only complete the Criterion 1 portion (English Language Proficiency), and disregard Criteria 2-4.
How will the changes in the reclassification process impact federal program monitoring?
- FPM review cycles begin on July 1 of each year. How FPM reviewers monitor reclassification procedures will depend on whether an LEA is monitored before or after this date in 2027:
- During FPM reviews conducted before July 1, 2027: FPM reviewers will monitor to ensure LEAs are manually reclassifying eligible students as soon as possible. Please note, LEAs continue to be required to monitor RFEP students for four years after reclassification to ensure that a student's English proficiency is not a barrier to their academic success.
- During FPM reviews conducted after July 1, 2027: FPM reviewers will continue to monitor LEAs to ensure proper reclassification of students. LEAs will also be asked to provide a spreadsheet of current EL and RFEP students. Reviewers will use this spreadsheet to identify any students who have obtained an overall PL 4 on the Summative ELPAC or an overall 3 PL on the Summative Alternate ELPAC but have not yet been reclassified.
How can an LEA get a list of all students who are currently eligible to be reclassified pursuant to AB 2555?
LEAs may download the “ELPAC Students Meeting Reclassification Criteria 1 Report” for 2025−26 from TOMS. This report will show all enrolled students who received an Overall PL 4 on the Summative ELPAC or an Overall PL 3 on the Summative Alternate ELPAC. For specific instructions on downloading this report, refer to the TOMS manual on the CAASPP & ELPAC website
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What if a student enrolled in one LEA in 2025–26 is now eligible to be reclassified but has since moved to a different LEA?
Due to data requirements in CALPADS, students must be reclassified by the LEA in which they are currently enrolled to be able to use a reclassification date between September 27, 2026, and January 31, 2027.
May an LEA require anything beyond the Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC score when determining eligibility for reclassification? May it keep its reclassification committee, or require teacher sign-off?
No, pursuant to AB 2555, EL students are to be reclassified based solely on meeting the SBE approved threshold for the Summative ELPAC (Overall PL 4) or the Summative Alternate ELPAC (Overall PL 3) for an EL student to be reclassified.
If an LEA’s board policies and administrative regulations do not match the updated reclassification requirements, how long does the LEA have to change these policies?
It would be best practice for LEAs to update policies and regulations as soon as possible. Please note that students should still be reclassified according to the requirements in AB 2555 regardless of the status of the policies and regulations being updated.
My LEA just reclassified students at the beginning of this school year using all four criteria. Are these reclassifications still valid?
All previously submitted reclassifications are still valid.
Do students who received an overall PL 4 on the 2025–26 Summative ELPAC need to remain enrolled in designated ELD until they are officially reclassified in CALPADS?
No. For programmatic purposes, according to AB 2555, students shall be considered reclassified as of the day after the student demonstrated proficiency through the Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC.
CALPADS
When must LEAs submit student reclassification data to CALPADS?
- For reclassification in the 2026–27 school year using 2025–26 summative ELPAC or Alternate ELPAC results, LEAs must submit reclassification data on or before January 31, 2027.
- For reclassification using the 2026–27 Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC results, LEAs must submit reclassification data on or before January 31, 2028. Please note that the CDE recommends that LEAs upload SELA records to CALPADS prior to July 31, 2027, so that all students with RFEP status are included in the LEA’s 2026–27 reclassification rate.
Where can I find more information about how to document reclassifications in CALPADS?
For more information, please visit the CALPADS Flash Communications web page.
Alternate Coursework, Performance Tasks, and Rubrics
When will the Alternate coursework be available to reclassify dually identified students?
The alternate coursework, performance tasks, rubrics, and the alternate path to reclassification will become available July 1, 2028, for EL students with IEPs that meet all the requirements.
Can an LEA use local assessments to reclassify dually identified students prior to July 1, 2028?
No, an LEA may not use local assessments to reclassify a dually identified student. Prior to the alternate coursework, performance tasks, and rubrics being available, dually identified students must obtain an overall PL 4 on the Summative ELPAC or an overall PL 3 on the Summative Alternate ELPAC to be able to be reclassified.