• Students will be fully bilingual and bi-literate in English and Spanish

• Students will maintain academic performance at or above grade level

• Students will positively identify with their societal culture while exhibiting pride for their native language and cultural heritage

Dual language immersion/one-way is a biliteracy program model that serves only students identified as limited English proficient. This model provides instruction in both English and Spanish, or another language, and transfers a student to English-only instruction. Instruction is provided to English language learners in an instructional setting where language learning is integrated with content instruction. Academic subjects are taught to all students through both English and the other language. 19 TAC §89.1210.

Research indicates that children who participate in a bilingual education program:

• build on a literacy foundation in their primary language to acquire stronger cognitive and academic skills in English;

• are more likely to develop a bicultural identity, become biliterate, and have higher self-esteem; and

• may use their bilingual skills to access competitive job opportunities in a global world.

Moreover, research shows that instruction in both languages from a young age does not hinder the development of the native language (L1) or the second language (L2). On the contrary, the evidence suggests that LEP students learning both languages simultaneously obtain higher scores in assessments in both languages than their counterparts who receive instruction only in L1 or L2. (Escamilla et.al. 2009).  Furthermore, it is very important to understand that L2 is not learned by mere exposure. The school curriculum (math, science, social studies, and language arts) provide the content to make instruction in L2 intentional, purposeful, and systematic through sheltered instruction strategies designed to make language and content meaningful to second language learners (Young and Hadaway, 2005).

Program Progression Chart

What instruction will my child receive in a bilingual education program?

Your child will develop language and literacy skills in his/her primary language as a resource for acquiring English. He/she will develop reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in English through the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) in conjunction with grade level academic instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all content areas, including language arts, math, science, and social studies. Your child’s teacher will be proficient in your child’s primary language and English and is specially trained to meet your child’s language needs. Instruction shall be designed to consider your child’s unique learning experiences, instill a positive identity, and honor the culture and experiences of your child.

Multilingual Office

• Provide adequate training to principals, teachers, and teacher assistants

• Provide adequate resources in both languages

• Provide instructional guidance

• Provide frequent feedback to teachers and administrators

Campus Administrators

• Promote the program with the school community (students, parents, staff)

• Create a school environment where bilingualism is evident (signs, bulletin boards, communication in Spanish) and valued

• Monitor fidelity of implementation

Teachers

• Be advocates for the program

• Attend required trainings

• Maintain academic language proficiency in both languages

• Implement the model with fidelity

• Provide and document linguistic accommodations for classes conducted in English

EB/LPAC Coordinators

• Support campus compliance requirements

• Attend required meetings

• Attend required trainings

Parents

• Be actively involved in their child’s education by attending meetings and school events

• Respond promptly to communication attempts made by the school

• Keep their child in the program until the end of 5th grade

• Provide structure (in terms of time and space) to do school work at home