Dual Language Program To Begin In District 50

With a steady increase in Spanish-speaking students in the Woodland Community Consolidated School District, the school board is looking for ways to think outside the box to incorporate mandatory education for those students and also teach English-speaking students another language.

The kindergarten class of 2012 will be the first to begin the district’s Two Way Immersion Program, also known as dual language.

The program will be offered as a full-day curriculum, with half the day taught in Spanish and the other half in English. The classes would be made up of a near 50-50 split of Spanish-speaking and English-speaking students.

Once enrolled, students will continue with the dual-language program through the fifth grade, eventually being able to read, write, speak and listen in both English and Spanish.

“Dual language is the best model you can have,” said Valerie Morey, the English language learner coordinator for Woodland district.

“It teaches kids literacy in both their native and second language. And, for the students, having peer modeling in language is important for developing their language skills," she said.

Morey said while there is a learning curve to the students learning a second language, research shows students eventually will perform at or above grade level.

“In the big picture this is a great opportunity for kids today to get ahead,” Morey said.

“We live in a global society where people work with others from around the world,” she said. “To already know a second language by the time a child is done with elementary school will help them in business, in travel and to learn additional languages in the future.”

The dual-language program is optional for students entering kindergarten in the fall of 2012. Morey said the district hopes to have as many as four sections of dual language classes, with the potential to add more in subsequent years.

What Does This Mean To Taxpayers?

The Woodland school board voted in favor of implementing the Two Way Immersion Program in June.

Dr. Anne Swanson, assistant superintendent of curriculum, institution and accountability for District 50, said the Spanish-speaking population in the area has more than doubled in the past five years.

State law requires school districts to educate students who do not speak English. When more than 20 students per school require attention in the same language, a bilingual and English-as-a-second-language class must be taught.

More than 500 students in the Woodland School District are taught through the bilingual and ESL programs.

“We would have to be adding Spanish-speaking teachers anyhow,” said Swanson referring to the growing numbers. “If we can add the dual-language program, it would be taking advantage of an incredible opportunity for our English-speaking kids.”

The Illinois State Board of Education suggested implementing the program because of the increased need.

Teachers will be added strategically, hiring needed Spanish-speaking teachers through attrition and moving other teachers within the district if necessary.

Swanson said while funding for the bilingual and ESL programs is minimal — the state reimburses districts about 30 percent of its costs for the programs — she does not anticipate any increase to taxpayers.

“We have the resources. We have the space,” Swanson said, adding the only increased costs would come in the form of cafeteria employees and playground monitors.

The school district plans to hold informational meetings before registration begins next spring. The next meeting will be held in December.

For more information about the dual-language program, visit the Woodland Community Consolidated School District 50 website or contact Valerie Morey at vmorey@dist50.net or 1-847-984-8718.