Student Services Programs

PBIS, or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, is an all encompassing approach to social, emotional and behavior support with an aim to improve outcomes for all students in their daily lives at Redwood City School District (RCSD) and beyond.

Character building, modeling, and positive reinforcement are at the forefront of this data-driven program.  Clear expectations for school citizenship are presented and students are recognized for making positive choices.

PBIS celebrates the whole child for who they are and empowers them to make decisions within structure, preparing them for school and the world. Teachers and administrators at RCSD use PBIS tools to reach the minds and hearts of students, while more readily collecting information that helps adults make informed decisions about the school atmosphere, as well.

PBIS is implemented at all RCSD schools.

Be Safe

Be Responsible

Be Respectful

RCSD staff work closely with public safety officials to ensure that all children are safe at school. Our schools have detailed emergency plans, and our school employees are trained in these protocols.

Your cooperation is necessary in any emergency and in the student release process. Learn your school's student-parent reunification plan as well as the school's parental notification methods. To best support your child's safety in a school emergency, remain calm and follow the plan. 

The Big Five, a common emergency plan adopted by all San Mateo County School Districts and law enforcement agencies. The Big Five protocol supports high-quality training for school staff and community members and ensures clear channels of communications with schools, first responders, parents and community members should an emergency occur. Be sure to talk with your children about school emergency response plans and review "The Big Five" periodically. Teach your children to follow the lead of school staff in the event of an emergency. 

The Big Five Overview (English, Spanish)

The Big Five Community Packet (English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog)

Section 504 is a Federal law that prohibits disability discrimination by recipients of Federal financial assistance. All public schools and school districts, as well as all public charter schools and magnet schools, that receive Federal financial assistance from the Department must comply with Section 504.

Section 504 provides a broad spectrum of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, all qualified elementary and secondary public school students who meet the definition of an individual with a disability under Section 504 are entitled to receive regular or special education and related aids and services that are designed to meet their individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities  are met.

Section 504 also requires, among other things, that a student with a disability receive an equal opportunity to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities, and to be free from bullying and harassment based on disability.

Suspension: Each school site shall follow its school discipline plan and consider suspension from school only when other means have not been successful or where the student's presence would constitute a danger to persons or property or seriously disrupt the educational process. This comprises sufficient prior warning to students and parents of the consequences of misconduct.
Suspension: the temporary removal of a student from class instruction for adjustment or disciplinary reasons.

AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND

1. A teacher may suspend a student from the classroom for the day of the suspension and the following school day.
2. The Principal / designee may suspend a student from class or the school campus for a period not to exceed five days per
infraction. The suspension may be extended by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
3. The Superintendent or his/her designee may extend a student's suspension pending final Board decision on a recommendation
for expulsion.
4. A Special Education student being considered for expulsion maybe suspended for ten days pending assessment and an IEP
Team meeting. A suspension may also be extended pending final Board decision.

NOTIFICATION
1. The teacher who imposes a classroom suspension shall report all suspensions in writing to the appropriate school
site administrator.
2. The school site administrator shall log all suspensions by teachers in the student information system.

PARENT NOTIFICATION
By Teacher: The teacher shall ask the parent to attend a parent-teacher conference regarding the suspension as soon as possible. [EC 48910]
By Administrator: A school employee shall make a reasonable effort to conference with the student's parent or guardian in person or by telephone at the time of the suspension. [ED. CODE 48911 (d)] A written notice shall be sent to the parent or guardian.

Grounds for Suspension: No student shall be suspended from school unless the principal/principal designee of the school in
which the student is enrolled determines that the student has violated one or more of the following provisions of Education Code
48900(A-M) or 48900.2, 48900.3, 48900.4 or 48900.7. In addition, State law requires that District to report certain offenses to
law enforcement authorities. [EC §48902]

DUE PROCESS: Disciplinary action will be preceded by an investigation, a conference between the principal and student, in which the student shall be informed of the reason for the suspension, the evidence against him, and be given the opportunity to present his or her defense. At the time of suspension, a school employee will make a reasonable effort to contact the student's parent in person or by telephone. The parent will be given written notice of the suspension. While on suspension from school, the pupil is not to loiter on or about any school grounds at any time, nor to attend any Redwood City School District activity at any time. Violation may
result in further disciplinary action.

SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION DURING SCHOOL ACTIVITY/ATTENDANCE
A pupil may be suspended or expelled for acts on any school campus at any time of the day or night, regardless of the school
district of jurisdiction. A pupil may be suspended for acts on the way to and from school.

Expulsion is the involuntary removal of a student from all schools and programs of the School District for an extended period of time for acts of specified misconduct. Final action is taken only by vote of the Board of Education. Expulsion proceedings for a Special Education student require additional due process procedures. While under expulsion, a student cannot enroll in another California school district without approval of that district's Board of Education.

MANDATORY EXPULSION: Under the mandatory provision of Education Code 48915(c), a student who has committed one or more of the following acts must be recommended for expulsion and the Board of Education must expel the student.
1. Possessing, selling or otherwise furnishing a firearm, or explosive,
2. Brandishing a knife at another person,
3. Unlawfully selling a controlled substance listed in Health and Safety Code 11053, et. seq., or
4. Committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault or committing a sexual battery.

The Students Services Department strives to address the unique educational needs of Foster Youth and Homeless students by working collaboratively with our students, caregivers, schools, placing agencies, and other service providers. 

Foster Youth: The Department supports any child or youth who the dependency court has taken jurisdiction over and declared to be a dependent of the court due to the presence or risk of abuse or neglect (Welfare and Institutions Code Section 300). 

Includes:

• children who are living at home
• children placed outside the home

And, any youth who the delinquency court has taken jurisdiction over and placed out of home. (Welfare and Institutions Code Section 600)

Homeless Education: The Student Services Department provides assistance to homeless students and families in compliance with the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act. We work in collaboration with school personnel and community service agencies in an effort to maximize access to various educational, social and enrichment programs which promote academic success and student achievement.

The McKinney-Vento Education defines homeless children and youth to be those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Under the larger umbrella of lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, the law also provides several examples of situations that meet the definition. The examples include children and youths:

·      sharing housing due to a loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;

·      living in hotels, motels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to a lack of alternative adequate housing;

·      living in emergency or transitional shelters;

·      abandoned in hospitals;

·      living in a public or private place not designated for, or normally used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;

·      living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar places;

·      living in one of the above circumstances and who are migratory according to the definition in Section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2)].

If you are experiencing homelessness, please contact the Student Services Department at (650) 482-2200 and/or complete the Student Residency Questionnaire form. After completing the form, the Student Services Department will reach out to you. 

The RCSD believes that regular attendance plays an important role in student achievement. We recognize our responsibility under the law to ensure that students attend school regularly. Parents/guardians of children aged 6 to 18 are obligated to send their children to school unless otherwise provided by law. We follow the state attendance laws and may use appropriate legal means to correct the problems of excessive absence or truancy.

Absence from school shall be excused only for health reasons, family emergencies and justifiable personal reasons, as permitted by law, Board policy and administration regulations. [BP/AR 5112.2]

Daily class participation is an integral part of students' learning experience. Parents/guardians and students shall be encouraged to schedule medical appointments during non-school hours. A student's grades may be affected by excessive unexcused absences in accordance with Board policy. [BP/AR 5121]

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school – and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they can learn right away that going to school on time; every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

Did you know that?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school. 

• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read. 

• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.

• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance. 

• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.

What to do when a student must be absent/verifying absences

• If you know in advance when your student will be absent for 5 days or more, you can request an Independent Study Packet. Independent Study Contracts are available through your school office.

• Please do NOT send your child to school when they are ill. We want students to rest and recover when they are sick, and we want to reduce the change of contagious illnesses spreading. 

Attendance Achievement by Instructional Days 2022-23

EXCELLENT Attendance means having NO MORE THAN 1 absence per 25 DAYS OF INSTRUCTION

BASIC Attendance means having NO MORE THAN 2 absences per 25 DAYS OF INSTRUCTION

Attendance Notification Letter: In accordance with the State of California’s Education Code [EC § 48260-48273], when any pupil is absent from school for 3 days or more without a valid excuse, and/or tardy 3 or more times in excess of 30 minutes, we must notify the parent/guardian. Parents will receive a letter from the school administrator. If school absences continue, families will receive other absence notices to ensure that attendance data is available to families regularly.

Compulsory Education Law: California compulsory education law requires everyone between the ages of six and eighteen years of age to attend school, except students who have graduated from high school or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) and obtained parental permission. Some students, however, violate compulsory education laws and have a pattern of unexcused absences. Although truancy and excessive absenteeism are not new problems, they cause costly, long-term problems for the students, school, and the community.

• to a free and appropriate education
• not to be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, national origin or disability (Title 9, PL 92-318)
• to available low cost nutritious meals and not to be identified or treated differently because of  being eligible for a free or reduced price meal  (CEC 49510 - 49520)

• to receive educational instruction, related services, or both, at no cost 
• to the parents or guardians (CEC 56030, etc.)
• to an individualized education program
• to an annual evaluation of the individualized program

• to provide/deny consent
• to prior notice
• to request a surrogate parent, when necessary regarding assessment
• to independent education assessment (Evaluation)
• to IEP Team membership
• to review contents of the individualized program
• to access all educational records of their student
• to amend records at parent request
• to due process rights
• to alternative dispute resolution
• to impartial due process hearing
• to due process hearing rights
• to file a complaint

• to be notified in writing of the English development/bilingual program available
• to be notified of options to the English development/bilingual program
• to participate on school and district bilingual committees:
• to visit any language development program in which a child enrolls

• It is the policy of the state that elementary and secondary school classes and courses, including nonacademic and elective classes and courses, be conducted without regard to the sex of the student enrolled in such classes and courses.
• No school district shall prohibit any student from enrolling in any class or course on the basis of the sex of the student, except a class subject to Section 51550.
• No school district shall require students of one sex to enroll in a particular class or course unless the same class or course is also required of students of the opposite sex.
• Participation in a particular physical education activity or sport, if required of students of one sex, shall be available to students of each sex. (CEC 40)
• Sexual Harassment Policy: Alleged pupil sexual harassment in violation of District policy or federal or state law will be handled pursuant to the attached policy and procedures established by the District. (RCSD BP &AR 5145.8, CEC 212.6)

• that the District has adopted rules and regulations and established a policy of open enrollment for residents of the district.  It allows parents to select the school they would like their child to attend within the district, subject to capacity.  Requests for admission are based on a random, unbiased selection process.  (CEC 35160.5(b))
• that school discipline rules are available at each school site (CEC 35291).
• that every teacher shall hold pupils accountable for their conduct on the way to and from school, and on the playground.  (CEC 44807)
• that parents can request the information regarding classroom teachers’ professional qualification (20 USC 6312)
• that pupils must conform to school regulations, obey all directions, be diligent in study, be respectful of teachers/others in authority, and refrain from profane/vulgar language.  (5 CCR 300)
• that students are entitled to be free from hazing in the classroom, on school grounds, and at all school activities.  Pupils and other persons in attendance are prohibited from conspiring to and/or engaging in hazing.  (CEC 32051)
• Excused Absences:
• Requires notice that when parents or guardians request it in writing, pupils shall be excused from school for justifiable personal reasons including, but not limited to, court appearances, religious holiday observances, employment conferences, etc., when approved in advance according to governing board policy.  Include as an excused absence attendance at an educational conference on the legislative or judicial process offered by a nonprofit organization.  Pupils absent under this Section are also allowed to make up assignments and tests missed during the absence.  No pupil may have his or her grade reduced or lose academic credit for any absence excused under this Section when missed assignments and tests are satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time.  A student is considered truant after three absences or three tardies of more than 30 minutes each time and the absences or tardies are unexcused.  After a student has been reported as a truant three or more times in a school year, the student is considered a habitual truant.  A student who is absent from school without a valid excuse for 10% or more of the school days in one school year, from the date of enrollment to the current date, is considered a chronic truant.  Unexcused absences are all absences that do not fall within EC 48205.  [The full text of Cal. Educ. Code § 48205 should be reprinted in the Annual Notification.]

• that current law enables parents to be absent from work without endangering their employment status in order to attend a portion of their child’s school day at a teacher’s or principal’s request if the employee, prior to taking the time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer (CEC 48900.1)
• school attendance options, based on parent employment are available when parent/guardian is employed within the boundary of a district other than the district of residence (CEC 48204(f))
• that a school’s Annual School Accountability Report Card is available upon request.  (CEC 35256)
• as of Sept 1, 1993 the use of tobacco products on the premises of Redwood City School District is prohibited. (AR 3515.3, BP 3515.3a)

• not to purchase the medical or hospital insurance made available through schools (CEC 49472)
• that a student should not be absent from school without the parent’s knowledge and consent (CEC 46010.1)
• not to have their children participate in mass immunization programs conducted at schools in cooperation with local health officials (Immunizations are required for several communicable diseases before a child enters school.) (CEC 49403)
• Immunization Requirements and Procedures:
• Requires the school district exclude any pupil not properly immunized and to notify the parent or guardian that they have two weeks to supply evidence that the pupil has been properly immunized or that the pupil is exempt from the immunization requirements as specified in HSC 120365 or 120370.  Notification to also refer the parent or guardian to usual sources of medical care to obtain the immunization(s).  Unless a pupil’s parent or legal guardian provides the school with an acceptable signed waiver, a pupil must be immunized against certain communicable diseases. Students are prohibited from attending school until the immunization requirements are met.  The school district shall cooperate with local health officials in measures necessary for the prevention and control of communicable diseases in school age children.  The district may use any funds, property, or personnel and may permit any person licensed as a physician or registered nurse to administer an immunizing agent to any student whose parents have consented in writing.  State law requires the following immunizations before a child may attend school:  (a) All new students must provide proof of polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps, and rubella immunizations.  (b) All kindergarten students must also provide proof of vaccination against hepatitis B and varicella (chickenpox).  (c) All seventh grade students must also provide proof of a second measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination.  (d) All seventh through twelfth grade students must also provide proof of pertussis booster.  (e) A tuberculosis skin test (Mantoux) is required for all kindergarten students and all new students who have never attended a California school.  Free or low cost immunizations for children are available.  Please call the district office for information.  Information about a permanent medical exemption or personal beliefs exemption from immunizations for your students is available at the district office.
• not to have children participate in physical examinations, scoliosis, sight and hearing tests. To exercise this right, a written request for a child not to participate must be sent annually to the school (CEC 49451-49455)
• to inform school authorities, and/or school nurse, and identify the medication, and the supervising physician, if their child is on continuing medication for a nonepisodal condition (CEC 49480)
• to assistance from designated school personnel in administering prescribed medicine to a student if a physician has sent instructions detailing the method, amount, and the time schedule.  The parent must request the help in writing.(CEC 49423)
• to request individual instruction for temporarily disabled students (CEC 48206.3, 48207 & 48208)

• to inspect, review, challenge and obtain copies at cost.  

1. for the parent to submit a written request to the principal or Director of Pupil Personnel, whichever is appropriate
2. for the principal or Director to make the records available for review during regular school hours within five business days
3. for the principal or Director to provide a person who is qualified to interpret the records to assist the parent to request that specific information be removed or altered in the records on the basis it is inaccurate, misleading or a violation of privacy. 

1. for the parent to submit a written request to the Superintendent
2. for the Superintendent or a representative to meet within 30 days with the parent and person responsible for the information
3. for the parent and Superintendent to follow procedures outlined in CEC 49070-77.

• District policies and procedures relating to: location of, and types of, records; kinds of information retained; persons responsible for records; directory information; access by other persons; review; and challenge of records are available through the principal at each school.  
• Upon written request from the parent, the district will withhold directory information about the student.

• with written permission from a parent, a student may be excused from participating in lessons on health, family life, or sex/AIDS education when instruction conflicts with religious beliefs and personal moral convictions of the parent/guardian (CEC 51240)
• with written permission from a parent, a student may be excused from classes in sex/AIDS education in which reproductive organs and their functions are described, illustrated, or discussed.  The request is good for one year, but may be withdrawn.  Advance notice regarding such classes will be sent to parents and the instructional material to be used will be available for review in advance of the class  (CEC 51550, 51820):
• with a written request from a parent, a student can be excused from school after participating in the instructional program for the number of minutes required by the State to receive religious training (CEC 46014)
• With a written request from a parent, a student with a moral objection to the harmful or destructive use of animals in a course can receive an alternative education project.  (CEC 32255)
• "Parent” as used in this publication refers to both parents and guardians.  

• Emergency Preparedness including disaster procedures and plans, routines, emergency response measures, staff training programs, procedures for the use of public buildings and notification procedures is addressed through the District’s comprehensive school safety plan. A copy of the plan is available at the District’s administrative offices.
• School authorities may excuse pupils in grades 7-8 from school for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical services without the consent of the pupil's parents or guardians.  (CEC 46010.1)
• Megan’s Law notification: Parents and members of the public have the ability to review information regarding registered sex offenders at the main office of the local law enforcement agency for this school district. (Penal Code 290.4)
• Use of pesticides: School districts are required to inform parents about the use of pesticides on school grounds. Parents have the option to register to receive notification of individual pesticide applications at the school facility.  Information regarding these products can be obtained on the Internet at www.cdpr.ca.gov .  (CEC 17612 and 48980.3)
• Asbestos: The district has a plan for eliminating health risks that are created by the presence of asbestos in school buildings. It may be reviewed at the district office. (40 CFR 763.93)
• Oral health assessment: A pupil, while enrolled in kindergarten in a public school, or while enrolled in first grade in a public school if the pupil was not previously enrolled in kindergarten in a public school, shall, no later than May 31 of the school year, present proof of having received an oral health assessment by a licensed dentist, or other licensed or registered dental health professional operating within his or her scope of practice, that was performed no earlier than 12 months prior to the date of the initial enrollment of the pupil. (CEC 49452.8)
• Sun protective clothing/use of sunscreen: School sites must allow for outdoor use of sun-protective clothing and must provide for the use of sunscreen by students during the school day by an established policy. (CEC 35183.5)

• Inter-District attendance - (a) The governing boards of two or more school districts may enter into an agreement, for a term not to exceed five school years, for the Inter-District attendance of pupils who are residents of the districts. The agreement may provide for the admission to a district other than the district of residence of a pupil who requests a permit to attend a school district that is a party to the agreement and that maintains schools and classes in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, to which the pupil requests admission. The agreement shall stipulate the terms and conditions under which Inter-District attendance shall be permitted or denied. The district of residence shall issue an individual permit verifying the district’s approval, pursuant to policies of the board and terms of the agreement, for the transfer and for the applicable period of time. A permit shall be valid upon concurring endorsement by the designee of the governing board of the district of proposed attendance. Terms and conditions under which the permit may be revoked is the responsibility of the district of attendance. (b) In addition to the requirements of subdivision (e) of Section 48915.1, and regardless of whether an agreement exists or a permit is issued pursuant to this section, any district may admit a pupil expelled from another district in which the pupil continues to reside. (CEC § 46600 – 46607. An application form for requesting a change of attendance can be obtained from the District office. If either district denies a transfer request, a parent/guardian may appeal that decision to the county board of education. There are specified timelines in the law for filing an appeal and for the county board of education to make a decision.
• Inter-District Attendance Agreement:
• Allows two or more districts to enter into an agreement for the Inter-District transfer of one or more students for a period of up to five years.  Allows a pupil to continue to attend the school in which he or she is enrolled without annual reapplication, unless the district of residence and district of enrollment have entered an agreement to the contrary.  (CEC 46600, 46601)
• Intra-District Attendance - Each school district shall adopt rules and regulations establishing a policy of open enrollment within the district for residents of the district. The policy shall include all of the following elements: (a) Parents or guardians of each school age child who is a resident in the district may select the schools the child shall attend, irrespective of the particular locations of his or her residence within the district, except that school districts shall retain the authority to maintain appropriate racial and ethnic balances among their respective schools at the school districts' discretion or as specified in applicable court-ordered or voluntary desegregation plans. (b) It shall include a selection policy for a school that receives requests for admission in excess of the capacity of the school ensures that selection of pupils to enroll in the school is made through a random, unbiased process that prohibits an evaluation of whether a pupil should be enrolled based upon his or her academic or athletic performance. The capacity of the schools in the district shall be calculated in a non-arbitrary manner using pupil enrollment and available space. However, school districts may employ existing entrance criteria for specialized schools or programs if the criteria are uniformly applied to all applicants. This subdivision shall not be construed to prohibit school districts from using academic performance to determine eligibility for, or placement in, programs for gifted and talented pupils established pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 52200) of Part 28 of Division 4. (c) It shall provide that no pupil who currently resides in the attendance area of a school shall be displaced by pupils transferring from outside the attendance area. (d) To the extent required and financed by federal law and at the request of the pupil’s parent or guardian, each school district shall provide transportation assistance to the pupil. [E. C. § 35160.5 (b)]
• School Choice - All students have the choice of attending another program or school in the district. Families who are interested in finding out more about attendance options can visit the district’s website at www.rcsdk8.net for more information on the District’s policies, procedures, and timelines for applying for School of Choice options. 

• with a teacher   
• with a principal     
• with a district-level administrator
• with the Superintendent

• Accommodations for Pregnant and Parenting Pupils 
• Adult Education
• After School Education and Safety
• Agricultural Career Technical Education
• Career Technical and Technical Education; Career Technical; Technical Training (State)
• Career Technical Education (Federal)
• Child Care and Development 
• Compensatory Education
• Course Periods without Educational Content
• Education Of Pupils In Foster Care, Pupils Who Are Homeless, Former Juvenile Court Pupils Now Enrolled In A School District, and Pupils Of Military Families
• Every Student Succeeds Act / No Child Left Behind (Titles I–VII)
• Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP)
• Migrant Education
• Physical Education Instructional Minutes
• Pupil Fees
• Reasonable Accommodations to a Lactating Pupil
• Regional Occupational Centers and Programs
• School Plans For Student Achievement 
• School Safety Plans
• School site Councils
• State Preschool
• State Preschool Health And Safety Issues In LEAs Exempt From Licensing
• Consolidated categorical aid programs
• Special Education program
• Allegations of unlawful discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, religion, age, sex, color, sexual orientation or physical or mental disability by a local agency which is funded directly by or receives benefits from any state financial assistance.

1. Any complaint alleging retaliation against a complainant or other participant in the complaint process or anyone who has acted to uncover or report a violation subject to this policy
2. Any other complaint as specified in a district policy

1. Any complaint alleging child abuse or neglect shall be referred to the County Department of Social Services, the County Protective Services Division, and the appropriate law enforcement agency.
2. Any complaint alleging health and safety violations by a child development program shall, for licensed facilities, be referred to the Department of Social Services and shall, for licensing-exempt facilities, be referred to the appropriate Child Development regional administrator.
3. Any complaint alleging employment discrimination shall be sent to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the compliance officer shall notify the complainant by first class mail of the transfer.
4. Any complaint alleging fraud shall be referred to the California Department of Education.

• The Board of Education meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at the District Office, 750 Bradford Street, Redwood City.
• the complete texts of the laws and policies are available at the Superintendent’s Office.
• The Redwood City School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, national origin, or disability.  (CEC 40)  Additional information regarding these rights can be obtained by calling 650-423-2200.
• California Education Code 48980 requires that the School District must keep records that parents and students have been informed.

• Structured English Immersion (SEI) Program: A language acquisition program for English learners where nearly all classroom instruction is in English designed for students who are learning English. Primary language support may be provided. There is a focus on English language development (ELD) and Integrated ELD.  Education Code (EC) sections 305(a)(2) and 306(c)(3).
• Dual-Language Immersion (DLI) Program (English/[Spanish and English/Mandarin): A language acquisition program for English learners and native English speakers in which Native English speakers and native speakers learn together as they reach proficiency in both languages. Much of the instruction, textbooks, and teaching materials are in the students’ target language of instruction.  EC Section 306(c)(1).
• Transitional Bilingual Program (English/Spanish): A language acquisition program for English learners in which native Spanish speakers are acquiring proficiency in their primary language and learning English. The language of instruction transitions into English in 3rd grade. Much of the curriculum and materials are in the primary language. EC Section 306(c)(2).
• Developmental Bilingual Program (English/Spanish): A language acquisition program for English learners in which native Spanish speakers are acquiring proficiency in their primary language and learning English as a second language. The language of instruction transitions into English as students move up the grade levels until  5th grade At that point primary language instruction is discontinued. Much of the curriculum and materials are in the primary language in the first three grades.. EC Section 306(c)(2).
• Newcomer Program: An instructional program designed for English learners, who are new to the country, with less than 12 months of schooling in the United States. Instruction and/or support may be provided in the students’ native language. Program models vary and may include part of a school day or full-day in a separate program or school.