InformED Blog
Dive Brief:
- A new American Institutes for Research (AIR) report, "Dual Language Education Programs: Current State Policies and Practices," has been released and offers policy recommendations about how states can help school districts create and maintain robust dual language instruction.
- The expansion of dual language programs should be a statewide priority, AIR recommends, pointing to the state of Utah, where a public-private partnership has helped 138 schools develop coursework.
- States can also create funding opportunities to incentivize dual language programming in schools, like offering start-up grants, offering specialized diplomas to bilingual or multilingual students, and prioritizing the training and hiring of language teachers.
Dive Insight:
Dual language programs seem to be equally popular with native English speaking students and non-native English speaking students alike. In California, dual-language immersion programs have seen success with Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese and Hmong instruction. New York City schools have also expanded dual language programs, offering programs in 180 schools as of last October. President Obama's "1 Million Strong" initiative also aims to teach Mandarin to one million American students by the year 2020.Bilingual or dual language education has proven economic benefits for students, as well as cognitive advantages. “Decades of research show documented results for indigenous-language immersion—including significant gains in achievement, family involvement, and community pride — for a population of students with dismal education outcomes,” the Atlantic Monthly has reported.
Five Ways States Can Support Dual Language Programs
26 May 2016
In a global economy, knowledge of multiple languages and cultures is a hot commodity.
More and more schools across the country recognize the importance of
bilingualism, offering both English learners and native English speakers
opportunities to become proficient in more than one language.
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by Andrea Boyle, Lisa Tabaku Unlike transitional bilingual programs that mainly seek to prepare English learners for general education classrooms, dual language programs aim to develop students’ literacy and content area knowledge in both English and a partner language, such as Spanish or Chinese. The goal is lasting bilingualism, along with high levels of academic achievement and an appreciation of multiple cultures.
Many decisions about language instruction are made by districts and schools. But a new AIR report, Dual Language Education Programs: Current State Policies and Practices, released by the U.S. Department of Education, shows that, despite some challenges, states can also play an important role in developing and sustaining dual language programs.
A growing body of research supports the dual language approach. Studies have found that by the time English learners reach middle school, those in dual language programs tend to outperform their peers in English language arts/reading while performing as well as or better than their counterparts in math and science.
Our research found a number of ways that states can help expand and sustain dual language programs:
Make expansion of dual language programs a statewide priority.
In some states, government, education, and business leaders have come
together to develop a strategic plan for scaling up dual language
programs. Utah, for example, established a goal of creating 100 programs
enrolling 30,000 students by 2015. And they succeeded: By July 2015,
138 Utah schools were implementing dual language programs in various
languages.
Help districts and schools secure the funds to develop and sustain dual language programs.
At least six states—Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, and
Utah—have offered dual language start-up grants. Meanwhile, such states
as Connecticut, Michigan, and New Mexico fund dual language and other
types of bilingual education programs. States can also provide guidance
on how districts and schools can use other federal and state funding
sources to support dual language programs.
Offer outreach and incentives to recruit and retain students. Some states provide technical assistance and materials to facilitate parent outreach. Eighteen states offer a Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation
to students who attain proficiency in two languages—a feather in the
cap that may help with future college and job applications. And five
more states are about to follow suit. Utah allows students who continue
their dual language studies in high school to earn credit from state
universities for higher-level language courses; Delaware is working on a
similar arrangement.
Build the supply of teachers qualified to teach in dual language programs.
Finding teachers proficient in the languages of instruction who also
know how to embed language development in content lessons can be a
challenge. Some states address it by partnering with colleges to develop
teacher preparation programs, developing alternative certification
routes, establishing teacher exchange programs with other countries, or
offering financial incentives. Six states host or encourage practicing
teachers to attend summer institutes focused on dual language education.
Provide resources to guide instruction and measure student progress.
Dual language teachers in states with Spanish or world language
proficiency standards can use these standards, along with those for
English language proficiency, to inform instruction and ensure that
students are making sufficient progress. Five states require dual
language programs to regularly assess students’ partner language skills,
and at least 11 states recommend or provide assessment tools. States
also can help dual language programs locate quality academic materials
in the partner language. These can be difficult to find.
Our study revealed that although states face some common challenges
to supporting dual language education, they are developing creative
solutions. Interstate collaboration to share knowledge and overcome
barriers could ease the process.Andrea Boyle is a Researcher focusing on school turnaround, English learners, state systems of support for low-performing schools, and teacher quality and effectiveness.
Lisa Tabaku is a Principal Researcher responsible for overseeing and providing professional development and technical assistance to improve educational outcomes for English learners.
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