Education Code section 435

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a)

“English learner” or “pupil of limited English proficiency” means a pupil who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English or who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; and whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the individual the ability to meet the state’s proficient level of achievement on state assessments, the ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English, or the opportunity to participate fully in society.

(b)

“Immigrant pupil” means a pupil who was born in a country other than the United States and who has attended a kindergarten class or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in a school in the United States for three or fewer years.

(c)

“Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001” means Public Law Number 107-110 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 6801, et seq.).

Source: Section 435, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=435.­ (updated Sep. 27, 2002; accessed Aug. 17, 2026).

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Verified:
Aug. 17, 2026

§ 435's source at ca​.gov