Pomona Unified School District | Posted September 28, 2026
Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2555 into law on Sunday, September 27, 2026. This new law changes how California school districts determine when an English Learner/Multilingual student is ready to be reclassified as Redesignated Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) — a status that means a student no longer needs English Language Development services.
Under AB 2555, a single score — a 4, the highest level, on the state's English language proficiency test (the ELPAC) — is now the qualifying criterion...
What Does This Mean for Our Students in Pomona?
STUDENTS WHO EARNED A 4 ON THE 2025-26 ELPAC WILL BE RECLASSIFIED NOW AND NO LONGER BE PLACED IN DESIGNATED ELD!!
What is Happening Now?
- Students who scored a 4 on the Spring 2026 ELPAC are being reclassified from English Learner to RFEP status.
- These students are being moved out of Designated ELD classes and Systematic ELD groups into the elective or course of their choice.
- Families of affected students are receiving a letter directly from their school site.
What is Happening By the End of This School Year (2026-27)?
- The District will continue to apply the new law as scores become available throughout the year.
- Student records will be updated in the state data system (CALPADS) to reflect each student's new status.
- The District is watching for official guidance from the California Department of Education (CDE) and State Board of Education, and will update families and staff as that guidance arrives.
What is Starting in 2027-28?
- The State will begin requiring districts to send families a formal written notice, in their home language, when a student is first identified as an English Learner and again after a student reclassifies — including information about biliteracy opportunities and the State Seal of Biliteracy.
- Updated Reclassification criteria for students who are dually identified English Learners with an IEP will be implemented.
- The California Department of Education will begin automatically recording qualifying students as reclassified in the state system, using ELPAC results.
- The State Board of Education will identify a statewide tool for monitoring how reclassified students are doing in the years after reclassification.
Questions? Contact the Pomona Unified EL/ML Student Programs Department at (909) 397-4800 or your child's school site.