THE BILINGUAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (BAC)

Overview
Schools where the total LEP enrollment is more than twenty students need to develop a Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC). The purpose of bilingual education programs is to provide eligible students the opportunity to acquire language skills in English necessary for their successful participation in an English-only instructional program. This is accomplished through structured immersion models and primary language support. The trigger for assessment is determined by the Home Language Survey. California English Language Development Test (CELDT) results determines eligibility as Limited English-Proficient (LEP) candidates. Students are transitioned into an English-only program when they meet established criteria for redesignation. Once redesignated students are re-classified as fluent-English proficient (RFEP).

Purpose
The participants in these committees are parents of LEP students and they participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the local school's program for LEP students. They advise the school on Bilingual funding issues since these programs receive state and district funding. Schools are responsible for providing at least eight meetings to inform parents of the academic program for LEP students and budget items that directly impact student learning.

Functions of the BAC
The role and responsibilities of the school-level Bilingual Advisory Committee shall include the following: * Advise and assist the principal and staff in the implementation and evaluation of the Master Plan. * Participate in the development of the school plan. * Participate in the development of the school bilingual budget. * Assist in the development of the school needs assessment. * Assist with efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance. * Participate and assist the Zone Bilingual-Bicultural Advisory Committee in the dissemination of information and materials related to all aspects of the Master Plan. * Participate in the administration of the language census. * Participate in the planning of the school parent-training program in * Coordination with District guidelines and Master Plan requirements. * Participate in training sessions and workshops that will provide the necessary skills and practice for the committee members to carry out their responsibilities.

School Committees
Each school with more than 20 identified LEP students shall establish a BAC. The school may designate an existing school-level advisory committee or subcommittee for this purpose but said committee must meet all the functions and requirements for school advisory committees on bilingual education, such as composition of committee, sign-in sheets, agendas, minutes, and bylaws. (Education Code Sec. 62002.5)

Parent Members
Parents and guardians (not employed by the District) of LEP students shall constitute membership on the committee in at least the same percentage as their children represent the total number of pupils in the school. They shall not constitute less than a majority (51 percent) of the membership on this committee. The local school administrator should seek participation from parents representing all language groups in the school. Members are elected to the BAC by the parents and/or guardians (not employed by the District) of LEP students.

Other Members
It is recommended that as many segments of the school community as possible be represented on the committee from the following groups: * Parents of non-LEP students * Community members * Students (secondary schools) * School staff Representatives of school support groups, parent clubs, booster clubs, PTA, other school support groups These members shall be elected from their respective groups and shall constitute less than fifty percent of the combined membership. All members elected shall have equal voting rights.

Bylaws
Each school committee shall adopt by laws to identify functions and to govern meetings. Bylaws are to be written and approved by the committee.

Responsibility
The school principal has the responsibility for the proper function and implementation of the BAC.