At the October 29th Community Curriculum Advisory Council meeting, Dr. Kudrna presented information about the upcoming dual language program. Below is the presentation.
The Dual Language Committee is eliciting feedback from parents and community members regarding the type of program model that they would like to see implemented in District 7 (90/10, 80/20, or 50/50). The CCAC committee recommended the 80/20 program model.. This model would support 80% Spanish and 20% English instruction in kindergarten and first grade. As the students progress through the grades, Spanish would be the dominant language of instruction until upper elementary when Spanish and English would be 50/50. Research has shown that all models (90/10, 80/20, or 50/50) have been found to effectively achieve the goals of bilingualism and biliteracy; however, the 90/10 or 80/20 model has shown to create higher levels of bilingualism. For specific research studies, visit the Center of Applied Linguistics. "English speaking students in early dual language programs often do not score on par with other English-speaking students on standardized tests of reading and writing in English. This affect mostly occurs during the first two or three grades of a dual language program, when all or most instruction, in particular, literacy instruction is in the non-English language. To that point, extensive research consistently shows that English speaking students in dual language programs in the upper grades achieve the same or higher levels of proficiency in English as students in English only programs." (Dual Language Instruction from A to Z: Practical Guidance for Teachers and Administrators; Hamayan, Genesee, and Cloud)
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On October 20th, several members of the Dual Language committee went on school visits. The committee spent the morning in Naperville 203 watching an 80/20 model of instruction beginning in kindergarten. This means that 80% of the students' day is spent using Spanish and 20% of the day English. In the afternoon, the committee traveled to Glen Ellyn 41. This district uses a 50/50 model K-5 (50% Spanish/50% English). During both visits, the committee was able to observe in classrooms and talk to teachers and administrators. The committee received sample documents that can be used for future reference.
On October 1st, the sub-committee met at Oakbrook School.
Discussion items:
Our first full committee meeting will be November 12th at Oakbrook School. |
Committee NotesThe Wood Dale District 7 Dual Language Committee will update their meetings and resources periodically. Archives
April 2018
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