Language Assessments and Language Program Eligibility

Any student who lists a language other than English on their Home Language Survey (HLS) may be tested.

1. Language Proficiency. Any student who lists a language other than English on one of the first three questions on the Home Language Survey AND who is applying for one or more of the following programs may be contacted for a language assessment to show proficiency: Dual Language Immersion, Biliteracy or Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program (JBBP).

2. English Language Proficiency. Any student who lists a language other than English on one of the first three questions on the Home Language Survey will be assessed to see what are her/his English language skills by using the Initial English Language Proficiency Assessment of California (Initial ELPAC).

Assessments are conducted before school assignment letters are sent to families. We strongly encourage families applying for language programs to submit your applications early so that we can properly assess your student's eligibility.

• Language Proficiency tests are conducted by the Enrollment Center (formerly known as the Educational Placement Center) after the enrollment application is received.
  • Main Round: November - February 
  • Round 2: April - May
• Initial ELPAC assessments are given in August/September at school sites. 
  • If a student is enrolling during the school year, the Initial ELPAC will also be conducted at the school site. 

When an application is received requesting a language pathway and/or listing a language other than English on the Home Language Survey, the Enrollment Center (EC) (formerly known as the Educational Placement Center) will contact families using the contact information listed (phone, email) to schedule a language assessment before the school assignments are made. 

If your child is bilingual but you listed English for all 3 questions of the Home Language Survey, you may still request a language assessment by contacting the EC at (415) 241-6085 or enrollinschool@sfusd.edu. 

Initial ELPAC

• Students: Grades K-12
• Description: The Initial ELPAC is a state assessment that is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards and assesses four domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Learn more about the Initial and Summative ELPAC here.
• Duration: ~2-3 hours

Language Proficiency - K-1

• Students: Grades K-1
• Description: The language pathway tests are developed by the Multilingual Pathways Department, and focus on listening and speaking.
• Duration: ~15-20 minutes

Language Proficiency - 2-8

• Students: Grades 2-8
• Description: The language pathway tests are developed by the Multilingual Pathways Department, and focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing. 
• Duration: ~30 minutes to 2 hours

Once the test is completed and scored, the EC will contact the parent/guardian to share test results, and offer to review program options and support services. Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to change the school or program requests on their child’s application if they so choose and/or if their child is not eligible for a selected language pathway.

Students can only take assessments one time -- we do not offer retesting within the same school year, and invite students to take the test again the following year.

Please call the EC at (415) 241-6085 for support. Testing coordinators are listed below.

• Lynn Kwong (English/Cantonese/Mandarin)
• Evelyn Orozco (English/Spanish)

Biliteracy Programs serve only potential English Learners and bilingual studetnes who are proficient in their primary language. Dual Language Programs serve a blend of English Learners, bilinguals, and monolingual English speaking students. 

For English Learners with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) who require English language acquisition services to obtain a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), their IEPs should include goals that address English Language Development and linguistic scaffolds to access core curriculum instruction. In addition, their IEP goals should outline ELPAC accommodations and designated supports for each domain as needed and/or consideration of an alternate assessment to the ELPAC and with access to core curriculum instruction. For more information ask your child's teacher, principal or visit the Special Education Department.

These resources were presented during the 2022-2023 Virtual Enrollment Fair.

This workshop provided an overview of language programs in SFUSD's elementary, middle, and high schools including our Dual Language Immersion and Biliteracy Programs that are designed to support the academic achievement and bilingualism of English language learners. We also share an overview of our World Language programs that aim to promote bilingualism and global citizenship for all SFUSD students. There was time for questions and answers about eligibility requirements and the goals of these programs.

Slides: English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | Chinese (PDF)

View Language Programs workshop: