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Bilingual program pathway to success

Oct. 17, Bilingual Programs Director Dr. Victor Vergara and Edison Elementary Principal Dr. Julie Perron provided the school board an update on the district’s Bilingual Programs. They reported the focus for Bilingual Education is centered around two research-based programs: Dual Language and English Language Development (ELD). Dr. Vergara noted nearly 40 percent of district students are Hispanic and 13 percent qualify as English Language Learners.  He also added 105 of this year’s 386 kindergarten students qualify as English Language Learners.

Dr. Vergara and Dr. Perron both stressed the difference between proficiency levels associated with learning a new language. They are focused on helping students attain high proficiency levels necessary to be successful in academic environments, not just conversational settings. Both Dual Language and the new English Language Development programs are designed to help students acquire these advanced proficiency levels.

This new ELD program is operating in all district schools and serves about 60 percent of students identified as English Language Learners. In this program, non-native English speakers receive all core instruction in English (immersion program) in addition to receiving 30 minutes a day of supplemental English Language Development instruction to help expedite their English language mastery.

The Dual Language program serves approximately 40 percent of English Language Learners. Programs are operating at Edison, Blue Ridge, Green Park, Sharpstein and both middle schools. The programs at Green Park and Sharpstein are phasing out as Edison becomes a wall-to-wall Dual Language school. Blue Ridge operates what is known as a one-way Dual Language program where native Spanish speaking students learn English and Spanish in the same classroom setting.

Dr. Vergara said acquiring academic language generally takes 5 to 7 years and the development of high levels of biliteracy and cross-cultural competencies will take a minimum of 6 to 8 years. He defined proficiency in English as being college and career ready, passing the Smarter Balanced Assessment in English Language Arts and success on the English Language Proficiency Assessment. He said ongoing data monitoring and continuous teacher professional development will be key components of the Bilingual Program.  

WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS • 364 South Park St. • Walla Walla, WA 99362 • Phone: 509-527-3000 • Fax: 509.529.7713

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