The purpose of the English Learner Advisory Committee is specifically designated to provide parents of English Learners the opportunity to offer input and advise the principal and school staff on English Learner program instruction and services. ELACs are not decision making councils nor do they approve expenditures from any funding source. However, they do provide input and advise on school decisions and the use of funding sources dedicated to English Learner pupils (5 CCR § 11308(b)).
Each school with more than twenty English Learner students is required to establish a school level advisory committee (EC § 52176(b)). The percentage of parents or guardians, or both, of English Learners on the school advisory committee must be at least equal to the percentage of English Learners enrolled in the school site. Each ELAC shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC). With the principal's consultation, ELAC members should also elect a member to the School Site Council (SSC)
The ELAC is to meet regularly for a minimum of four times during the school year. Meetings can be scheduled on alternating months with DELAC meetings. With parent consultation, the principal shall be responsible for identifying training topics needed to assist committee members in carrying out their permitted responsibilities. The principal shall also be responsible for ensuring that training is provided in required areas, norms and consensus procedures are followed, and required activities are carried out. Training is primarily focused in areas and topics of interest as identified by the individual school site needs assessment. Each English Learner school advisory committee is responsible for advising the principal and staff for each of the following topics (EC § 52176(c)).