English Learners in California Schools

English Learner Population in California

California has the largest English learner (EL) student population in the nation. This tab provides an overview of California’s EL student population in 2021–22.

For definitions of terms used in these reports, please visit Glossary of Terms for English Learner (EL) Reports

2021–2022 Student Enrollment

• 5,892,240 total student enrollment for kindergarten through grade 12
• 1,127,648 are current English Learners (ELs), 19.1% of California's 5.9 million students are EL students
• 963,056 are Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP), 16.3% of California's 5.9 million students are RFEP students

2021–2022 Ever-ELs

As indicated in the flow chart below, there are 2,090,704 Ever-ELs. The number of Ever-ELs is a combination two boxes at the bottom: 1,127,648 EL students and the 963,056 RFEP students.

Enrollment by EL Status

As indicated in the pie chart below, there are 2,090,704 Ever-ELs in 2021–22.
Data Source : 2021–22 "At – Risk" and Long-Term English Learners (LTEL) by Grade.

Out of the 2,090,704 ELs in California, 963,056 (46%) are RFEPs, 497,471 (24%) have been ELs for less than three years, 211,055 (10%) are At-Risk of becoming LTEL, 379,290 (18%) are LTEL, and 39,832 (2%) have been ELs for more than four years but are not At-Risk or LTEL.

State Level Educational Outcomes of English Learner Students

The outcomes for English learners (EL) students are annually reported on DataQuest. DataQuest is the California Department of Education’s online, public reporting system that provides reports about California’s schools and school districts. To find out how to access reports specifically for EL on DataQuest, view these Instructions on Accessing Data (DOCX).

Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards - 2021–2022 Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in English Language Arts/Literacy

The graph below displays the 2021–2022 school year percent of EL, Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP), Ever EL, and English only students meeting or exceeding standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in English language arts/literacy (ELA).

For definitions of the different EL student groups on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment, please visit English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics

The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in ELA is only offered in grades 3-8 and grade 11. The results of the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in ELA is as follows:

• Out of 528,154 EL students with scores, 12.5% of EL students met or exceeded standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment ELA.
• Out of 569,720 RFEP students with scores, 58.8% of RFEP students met or exceeded standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment ELA.
• Out of 1,097,960 Ever ELs with scores, 36.5% of Ever ELs met or exceeded standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment ELA.
• Out of 1,733,951 English only students with scores, 51.8% of English only students met or exceeded standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment ELA.
  

Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards - 2021–2022 Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in Mathematics

The graph below displays the 2021–2022 school year percent of EL, RFEP, Ever EL, and English only students meeting or exceeding standards on the Smarter Balanced Assessment in mathematics.

For definitions of the different EL student groups on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment results, please visit English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics

The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in mathematics is only offered in grades 3-8 and grade 11. The results of the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in mathematics is as follows:

• Out of 539,737 EL students with scores, 9.7% of EL students met or exceeded standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment mathematics.
• Out of 568,339 RFEP students with scores, 36.4% of RFEP students met or exceeded standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment mathematics.
• Out of 1,108,163Ever ELs with scores, 23.4% of Ever ELs met or exceeded standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment mathematics.
• Out of 1,728,052 English only students with scores, 37.8% of English only students met or exceeded standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment mathematics.
  

2021–2022 Percent of Students Chronically Absent

The graph below displays the 2021–2022 school year chronic absenteeism rates for EL students and non-EL students. Chronic absence rate is calculated as the percent of students who miss ten percent or more of the days they are expected to attend. Statewide, EL students had a chronic absenteeism rate of 34.7%, compared to 28.8% for non-EL students.

For definitions on the different EL student groups on DataQuest reports, please visit Glossary of Terms for English Learner (EL) Reports.

2021–2022 Suspension Rate

The 2021–2022 school year suspension rates for EL students and non-EL students. Suspension rate is calculated as the percent of all students who were suspended one or more times during the school year for an in-school or out-of-school suspension. Statewide, EL students and non-EL students had a suspension rate of 3.2%.

For definitions on the different EL student groups on DataQuest reports, please visit Glossary of Terms for English Learner (EL) Reports.

2021–2022 Stability Rate

The graph below displays the 2021–2022 school year stability rates for EL students and non-EL students. Stability rate is calculated as the percent of students with a minimum of 245 consecutive calendar days at the same school without a disqualifying exit (e.g., truant, expelled). Statewide EL students had a stability rate of 87.7% compared non-EL students stability rate of 90.3%.

2021–2022 Four- Year Cohort Graduation Rate

The graph below displays the 2021–2022 school year four-year cohort graduation rates for EL students and non-EL students. The four-year cohort graduation rate is calculated as the percent of students who graduate high school with a traditional high school diploma within four years from the time they enter ninth grade. Statewide, 71.8% EL students graduated within 4 years compared to 89.5% of non-EL students.

For definitions on the different EL student groups on DataQuest reports, please visit Glossary of Terms for English Learner (EL) Reports.

2021–2022 Five- Year Cohort Graduation Rate

The graph below displays the 2021–2022 school year five-year cohort graduation rates for EL students and non-EL students. The five-year cohort graduation rate is calculated as the percent of students who graduate high school with a traditional high school diploma within five years from the time they enter ninth grade. Statewide, 73.0% EL students graduated within 5 years compared to 88.7% non-EL students.

For definitions on the different EL student groups on DataQuest reports, please visit Glossary of Terms for English Learner (EL) Reports.

State Level Accountability for English Learners

Accountability results for English learner (EL) students, outlined below, are published annually on the California School Dashboard (Dashboard). The Dashboard provides information about how local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools are meeting the needs of California's diverse student population. The results on this tab represent EL results statewide on the 2022 Dashboard. To find out how LEAs and schools are meeting the needs of their EL students, visit the California School Dashboard

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, state law allows the 2022 Dashboard to only display the most current year of data (also known as Status). For this year only, performance levels will be reported using one of five Status levels (ranging from Very High, High, Medium, Low, and Very Low) for state measures. Please note that the Status levels associated with the Chronic Absenteeism and Suspension Rate Indicators are reversed (ranging from Very Low, Low, Medium, High, and Very High). Information regarding this year's Dashboard data is available within the Dashboard Communications Toolkit.

Visit the California School Dashboard to view statewide indicators. To find out how to access statewide indicators specifically for EL students on the California School Dashboard, view these Instructions on Accessing Data (DOCX).

For more information on how the EL student group is defined for each state indicator on the Dashboard, please visit English Learner Students on the California School Dashboard (PDF)

English Learner Progress – 2022

English Learner progress rate is calculated as the percent of EL students making progress towards English language proficiency. In 2022, 50.3% of EL students made towards English language proficiency. This percent is based on based on 785,734 EL students statewide.

English Language Arts/Literacy – 2022

The English Language arts/literacy (ELA) indicator shows how well students are at meeting grade-level standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in ELA. The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in ELA is administered in grades 3-8 and grade 11. The ELA indicator combines current EL students and students who have been reclassified within the last four years. The 2022 ELA cell phone bar has two bars in purple indicating a Status Level of Low. In 2022, current EL students and recently reclassified EL students scored an average of 61.2 points below standard. This is based on 807,968 current EL students and recently reclassified EL students statewide who took the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in ELA.

In 2022, current EL students scored an average of 98.5 points below standard. This is based on 512,600 current EL students statewide who took the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in ELA.

In 2022, reclassified EL students scored an average of 3.4 points above standard. This is based on 295,368 reclassified EL students who took the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in ELA.

In 2022, English only students scored an average of 1.1 points above standard. This is based on 1,755,866 English only students who took the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in ELA.

Mathematics – 2022

The mathematics indicator shows how well students are at meeting grade-level standards on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in mathematics. The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in mathematics is administered in grades 3-8 and grade 11. The mathematics indicator combines current EL students and students who have been reclassified within the last four years. The 2022 Mathematics cell phone bar has two bars in purple indicating a Status Level of Low. In 2022, current EL students and recently reclassified EL students scored an average of 92 points below standard. This is based on 806,350 current EL students and recently reclassified EL students statewide who took the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in mathematics.

In 2022, current EL students scored an average of 122.3 points below standard. This is based on 511,578 current EL students statewide who took the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in mathematics.

In 2022, reclassified EL students scored an average of 39.3 points below standard. This is based on 294,772 reclassified EL students who took the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in mathematics.

In 2022, English only students scored an average of 40.4 points below standard. This is based on 1,748,522 English only students who took the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in mathematics.

Chronic Absenteeism – 2022

The chronic absenteeism rate is calculated as the percent of students who miss ten percent or more of the days they are expected to attend. The 2022 Chronic Absenteeism cell phone bar has one bar in purple indicating a Status Level of Very High. In 2022, 33.6% of EL students were chronically absent. This percent is based on 947,569 EL students statewide.

Suspension Rate – 2022

The suspension rate is calculated as the percent of all students who were suspended one or more times during the school year for an in-school or out-of-school suspension. The 2022 Suspension cell phone bar has three bars in purple indicating a Status Level of Medium. In 2022, 3.2 % of EL students were suspended at least once. This percent is based on 1,216,311 EL students statewide.

Graduation – 2022

The graduation rate for the California School Dashboard is the combined four-and five-year graduation rate. The 2022 Graduation cell phone bar has two bars in purple indicating a Status Level of Low. In 2022, 73.3% of EL students graduated high school. This percent is based on 74,304 English learner students. More information on this graduation rate calculation can be found in the 2022 Graduation Rate Mini Guide (DOCX).

College/Career – 2022

The College/Career Indicator was not reported on the 2022 Dashboard.

EL Roadmap

The California English Learner Roadmap: Strengthening Comprehensive Educational Policies, Programs, and Practices for English Learners (CA EL Roadmap) was adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE) in July 2017. The CA EL Roadmap is a Guide to assist local educational agencies to implement California's 21st century college-and-career-ready standards, curriculum, instruction programs, and assessments.

The CA EL Roadmap policy outlines four main principles:

• Principle One: Assets-Oriented and Needs Responsive Schools
• Principle Two: Intellectual Quality of Instruction and Meaningful Access
• Principle Three: System Conditions that Support Effectiveness
• Principle Four: Alignment and Articulation Within and Across Systems

For more information and resources on the CA EL Roadmap, please visit English Learner Roadmap.

COVID-19

During the COVID-19 outbreak, the California Department of Education has provided resources, webinars, and guidance for EL distance learning and the transition to schools reopening.

For more information, please visit the CDE’s COVID-19 EL resources web page at COVID-19 English Learner Resources.

For more information on COVID-19 and Data Reporting, please visit the CDE's COVID-19 and Data Reporting web page.

For more information on COVID-19 and Accountability, please visit the CDE's COVID-19 Accountability FAQs web page.

English Learners Monitoring

The California Department of Education is committed to moving all of California’s English learner (EL) students to English language proficiency as rapidly and effectively as possible. In order to meet this goal, the CDE provides monitoring and technical assistance to local educational agencies on the EL program and services.

For more information, please visit the CDE’s Technical Assistance and Monitoring web page at Technical Assistance and Monitoring.

Downloadable English Learner Data Files

The California Department of Education makes available several downloadable data files on English learners.

• English Learners
  English learners by grade and language.
• Fluent-English-Proficient (FEP)
  FEP students by grade and language.
• Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP)
  EL students reclassified from EL to FEP since the last census.
• Long-Term English Learner (LTEL)
  Enrollment by English Language Acquisition Status (ELAS), LTEL status, and At-Risk of becoming LTEL status by grade.

2019 English Learner Progress Indicator (ELPI) Status

ELPI Status measures progress toward English language proficiency.

• English Learner Progress Indicator- Record Layout
• English Learner Progress Indicator - Data File (XLSX)
• English Learner Progress Indicator - Data File (TXT)

EL Definitions

This tab provides information and resources on how English Learner (EL) students are defined across the various data reports provided by the California Department of Education (CDE). This tab also provides information on additional resources for EL students, parents, schools, and districts.

EL Definitions

General Definitions

This section provides general definitions of ELs, Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) students, and those students who were ever English Learners (Ever-ELs).

• English Learner – A student who enrolls in a California school beginning in any grade level, transitional kindergarten through grade twelve, has a language other than English identified on the Home Language Survey, and upon assessment, obtained a level of English proficiency that indicates programs and services are necessary. Students identified as English learners receive programs and services until they meet the reclassification criteria pursuant to Education Code (EC) Section 313.
• Reclassified Fluent English Proficient Student – A former EL student who has met the four criteria specified in California EC Section 313(f). For more information on the four criteria for reclassification, please visit Reclassifications web page.
• Ever-ELs – Current EL students and RFEP students.

Long-Term English Learners (LTELs) and At-Risk for LTEL

For definitions of Long-Term English Learners and students “At-Risk” of becoming Long-Term English Learners, please visit Glossary of Terms for English Learner (EL) Reports.

DataQuest Reports

For definitions on the different EL student groups on DataQuest reports, please visit the Glossary of Terms for English Learner (EL) Reports.

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in ELA and Mathematics

For definitions of EL students, Ever ELs, and English only students on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment, please visit English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics .

For additional information on the achievement of EL students, please visit Understanding English Learner Achievement in California (PDF).

Initial and Summative English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

For definitions of EL students on the Initial ELPAC, please visit Understanding Initial ELPAC Summary Reports .

For definitions of EL students on the Summative ELPAC, please visit Understanding Summative ELPAC Summary Reports .

California School Dashboard

The California School Dashboard (Dashboard) has six state indicators. These indicators are reported at the student group level (i.e., race/ethnicity, foster youth, EL, homeless). However, students included in the EL student group vary by state indicator. Please visit Who is Included in the English Learner Student Group? (PDF) for an explanation of how the English learner student group is included in each indicator.