CA AB2735

Commencing in the 2019–20 school year, middle and high school English learners cannot be denied enrollment in core curriculum courses, courses required for graduation or college admission, or a full course load based solely on their English learner classification.

English learners may be denied access to standard instructional program courses only if they recently arrived in the United States or are participating in a newly arrived immigrant program, provided their course of study is designed to remedy academic deficits and enable them to reach parity within a reasonable timeframe.

The bill clarifies California's compliance with the federal Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 and the Castañeda v. Pickard court decision regarding equal participation in standard instructional programs.

Applies to pupils in schools operated by school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and state special schools for the blind and deaf.

Schools are not required to create supplemental courses in languages other than English, and any state-mandated costs shall be reimbursed pursuant to existing state law procedures.