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

(a) (1) “Long-term English learner” means an English learner to which all of the following apply:

(A) Is enrolled in any of grades 6 to 12, inclusive.

(B) Has been enrolled in schools in the United States for six years or more.

(C) Has remained at the same English language proficiency level for two or more consecutive prior years, or has regressed to a lower English language proficiency level, as determined by the English language development test identified or developed pursuant to Section 60810, or a score determined by the Superintendent on any successor test.

(D) For a pupil in any of grades 6 to 9, inclusive, has scored far below basic or below basic on the prior year’s English language arts standards-based achievement test administered pursuant to Section 60640, or a score determined by the Superintendent on any successor test.

(2) A pupil for which the required testing results are not available for either subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (1) shall not have that criteria applied and such pupil shall not be excluded based on that criteria.

(b) (1) “English learner at risk of becoming a long-term English learner” means an English learner to which all of the following apply:

(A) Is enrolled in any of grades 3 to 12, inclusive.

(B) Has been enrolled in schools in the United States for four to five years.

(C) Has scored at the intermediate level or below on the prior year’s English language development test identified or developed pursuant to Section 60810, or a score determined by the Superintendent on any successor test.

(D) For a pupil in any of grades 3 to 9, inclusive, has scored in the fourth or fifth year at the below basic or far below basic level on the prior year’s English language arts standards-based achievement test administered pursuant to Section 60640, or a score determined by the Superintendent on any successor test.

(2) A pupil for which the required testing results are not available for either subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (1) shall not have that criteria applied and such pupil shall not be excluded based on that criteria.

(3) The Superintendent is encouraged to revisit a score determined for any successor test pursuant to subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) and subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (1) of this subdivision after three years of assessment data on the successor test.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 660, Sec. 1. (SB 750) Effective January 1, 2016.)