3.+Explanation+of+the+program

Our Two-Way Immersion Program November 2008

Beginning in kindergarten, approximately half of the student population in the bilingual program at Mitchell Elementary is Spanish-dominant, and the other half is English-dominant. The purpose of the program is to have all the students in the program become bilingual and biliterate, that is, the students will be able to speak, listen, read and write in both English and Spanish at a high enough level to have academic success in both languages. This level is much more difficult to attain than having the ability to speak both languages in social settings.

In order to reach this goal, kindergarten students should spend approximately 90% of their day learning in Spanish, first graders 80%, second graders 70%, third graders 60%, and fourth and fifth graders 50%. At the same time, students from kindergarten through third grade will learn reading and writing in their dominant language. This type of bilingual program is called a “90/10 two-way immersion” program. It may also be called a dual immersion program.

In the past, the older students lacked sufficient opportunities to develop their Spanish skills. As we correct this problem, we know that some students will be uncomfortable studying certain subjects in Spanish because they are used to learning them in English, but please rest assured that your child is in a solid program dedicated to the academic success of its students.

====**December 2010** The following is a PowerPoint presentation made to our district's District Wide School Improvement Council regarding why we would like to begin teaching initial literacy in Spanish to ALL our dual language students instead of beginning literacy instruction in English for the English-dominant students and Spanish for the Spanish-dominant students.====