In the 2002-2003 school year, UISD began implementing a federally funded dual language education program at select elementary schools. This project serves English Language Learners (ELLs) and English proficient students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The project has three primary goals:
Program Goals
The major goals of the Dual Language Enrichment Model
are to ensure that:
Program Implementation
Currently three elementary schools, Kazen, Colonel Santos Benavides and Senator Judith Zaffirini Elementary are implementing the program. The model proposes an approximate 50-50 balanced use of both English and Spanish through the academic year. Parents, teachers, and administrators involved with the program have seen favorable academic results.
Therefore, beginning the 2007-2008 school year, the program was expanded to the three feeder middle schools: Antonio Gonzalez, United Middle and Washington Middle school. They are implementing the program by providing students with certain courses that are taught in Spanish which include an advanced Spanish as a foreign language class and a Social Studies class. All other courses are taught in English.
The United ISD dual language enrichment model integrates ELLs and English speaking students to provide content area instruction and language development in the two languages. This model provides an additive bilingual environment where all students have the opportunity to learn a second language while continuing to develop their native language proficiency and to improve their mastery of the content areas. The dual language 50-50 model is based on national research findings that maximize the strengths of both English and Spanish speakers. In this model, identified students receive both Spanish and English instruction in Language Arts and Reading. Mathematics is instructed in English while Social Studies is taught in Spanish from Kinder to fifth grade. Science is taught in Spanish up to second grade. In grades third through fifth Science is taught in English to ensure that the expectations of state mandates are met at these grade levels. The ultimate goal of the model is for students to become proficient in both English and Spanish while developing a strong foundation in their native language.
With the start of the 2008-2009 school year, a fourth and new elementary school with also provide this language enrichment model. Killam Elementary will implement the program from kindergarten through fifth grade in select classes.
Dual Language programs are a dynamic form of education that hold great promise for developing high levels of academic achievement, bilingualism and biliteracy, and cross-cultural awareness among participating students (Christian & Whitcher, 1995; Valdés, 1997).
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It is the policy of the UISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its vocational programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
Es la norma de UISD no discriminar en base de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo o discapacidad en sus programas vocacionales, servicios, o actividades, tal y como lo requiere el Acta de Derechos Civiles de 1964 Titulo VI; Titulo IX de Enmiendas de Educación de 1972; la Seccion 504 del Acta de Rehabilitación de 1973. |