The Austin Independent School District is making a dramatic change in the way it educates some students who speak Spanish, but not much English. Monday night, the school board approved dual language programs which would start next year.
Up until now, the focus had been on bilingual programs with the thought being it builds up student's self-esteem to learn in their native language, and then slowly learn English. With the dual language program, students will have to be proficient in both languages which now opens the door for English speaking kids to become proficient in Spanish at a very young age.
The Magellan International School in North Austin is a small private school which opened in August. Maria Isabel Leon is the head of school.
"There was a big demand for a school like this in Austin," she said.
The children at Magellan, half of whom come from families who don't speak any Spanish, are immersed in a dual language program. By 3rd grade, they are expected to be fluent in English and Spanish. In 3rd grade they start the language component, Mandarin.
"I think educators everywhere are realizing that having languages introduced -- or second languages introduced -- in the high school level is a bit late," she said.
The Magellan International School was the only option for Austin parents until Monday night, when the AISD school board voted to implement its own dual language pilot program.
"I think the research clearly documents that this is a good way to do it," said Robert Schneider, board member.
Starting in the 2010 school year, up to six Austin Elementary Schools would implement dual language programs. Three would focus on both English and Spanish speakers becoming fluent in both languages. Three would be so-called one way dual language, where the class would be made-up of Spanish speaking students who would focus on being fluent in both languages.
Brentwood Elementary applied to be one of those six schools. Jana Cole is interested in having her daughter learn more Spanish.
"Maddie's in a bilingual classroom right now and her kindergarten class is bilingual so she's been able to pick up some Spanish from that - so we've already kind of experienced that a little bit and it's been a positive thing for her," said Cole.
But the addition of this program doesn't come without concerns. The district is facing a $15 million to $20 million budget shortfall for next year. This dual language program costs about $1.5 million.
"We're in a budget environment where we have to be very careful what we do right now because I don't want to get to the point where we were in 2004 where we were having to lay off 650 people," said Schneider.
A balance schools have to find to compete in this global economy.
Round Rock Independent School District implemented a similar program in 2008. It focuses only on Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st Grade. It's still in the pilot stages -- but it grew to six schools this year.
