Growing, Thriving, Reclassified: English Learner Success Across San José Unified

At San José Unified School District, supporting English Learners (ELs) is a shared commitment grounded in data, collaboration, and a belief in every student’s potential. During the 2024–2025 school year, that commitment translated into meaningful gains in English Learner progress and hundreds of students reaching a major milestone: reclassification as Fluent English Proficient (RFEP).

Behind these outcomes is a thoughtful reclassification process and the collective efforts of students, teachers, administrators, and families across the district.

Reclassification is the process by which an English Learner demonstrates sufficient English proficiency to participate fully in academic instruction without specialized language support. While state guidelines set the foundation, San José Unified’s process reflects both rigor and care.

“It’s based on state metrics, but we also have some control,” explained Ramon Sanchez, Manager of Bilingual and English Learner Programs for the Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Department. “ELPAC scores of 4 are non-negotiable; students must be at grade level according to internal assessments, teachers provide input, especially at the secondary level, and families give consent. It’s really a team effort.”

Students are evaluated across listening, speaking, reading, and writing, using the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC), along with classroom performance and teacher feedback. Once students reclassify, the district continues to monitor their progress for four additional years to ensure ongoing success.

The California School Dashboard English Learner Indicator measures how well schools support English Learners’ year-to-year growth in English proficiency, using ELPAC results to highlight progress. The five Dashboard colors—Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Blue—help families easily see how much progress English Learners are making, with movement toward Green and Blue signaling increased growth.

During the last school year, 272 secondary students were successfully reclassified across San José Unified middle and high schools. At the elementary level, 214 students were reclassified. Many sites also showed positive movement on the Dashboard, including schools shifting from Red or Orange to Green, signaling stronger English Learner growth.

At the secondary level, the percentage of English Learners growing at least one proficiency level increased from 33.7% (Orange) in 2024 to 44.3% (Yellow) in 2025. At the elementary level, nearly 37% of English Learners demonstrated growth of at least one proficiency level, with several schools moving from Red or Orange performance levels into Yellow or Green which is an encouraging sign of early language development and targeted instructional support.

“These color changes represent real growth,” Sanchez said. “We break students up by levels, and what we want to see is progress. Language takes five to seven years to acquire, so if a student is growing even if it’s just one level, that’s success.”

Sanchez emphasized the importance of early support, “Teachers have access to data, including the summative ELPAC, which gives a full picture of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. That allows teachers to create a growth plan tailored to each student.”

To support this work, the Curriculum and Instruction Department collaborates closely with school sites by analyzing data, providing professional development, and training new teachers. “We use Elevation to look at cumulative English Learner data, and teachers have access to it too,” Sanchez said. “We also provide professional development days and make English Learner support a key part of New Teacher Orientation.”

Families play a critical role in the reclassification journey. San José Unified actively encourages family engagement through School English Learner Advisory Committees (SELAC) and the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC). “A great place for families to start is joining SELAC,” Sanchez shared. “Those representatives go to DELAC, learn about the reclassification process, and provide input. Families are the best advocates for their children.” He added that supporting language development at home. Whether in English or a student’s native language makes a difference. “Reading to your child in your home language still helps,” he said. “Those skills transfer to English and help families stay connected.”

Reclassification is more than a data point, it’s a milestone worth celebrating. “Some parents come back the next year so excited because their child grew or reclassified,” Sanchez said. “Being able to show families how to read ELPAC scores and then celebrate with ceremonies.”

Every reclassified student receives a certificate signed by district leadership, and many schools host family celebrations to honor the achievement. As San José Unified continues to strengthen support for English Learners, the focus remains clear. “We have a moral imperative to make sure we’re moving our English Learners forward, not just meeting an Ed Code,” Sanchez said. “If kids are growing, we’re doing something right. And we want every kid to grow.”

Through intentional instruction, strong partnerships with families, and the dedication of teachers and staff, San José Unified is creating pathways for English Learners to thrive—academically, linguistically, and beyond.