|
Task force looks at expanding popular dual-language program |
|
|
|
Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator /
|
|
Saturday, 19 January 2008 |
A Patterson Unified School District task force has begun looking at expanding the district’s dual-language program, district officials told the school board Monday.
 Kindergartners under the tutelage of Grayson Charter School teacher Veronica Robles sound out words in Spanish, while students next door review their English. The school is the only one in the Patterson district to offer dual-language classes, but that might be about to change. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator
The district’s task force is looking into expanding the program to other kindergarten through fifth-grade schools and adding it on the sixth-grade level and above.
At a recent meeting of interested Northmead and Del Puerto preschool parents, 39 of 44 parents favored starting a dual-language program in the community, said Miguel Guerrero, the district’s director of student services and leader of the task force.
“We targeted preschools because it’s the next year’s kindergarten class,” Guerrero said. “I got a good feeling from these parents — there’s demand.”
Of 39 interested parents of incoming sixth-graders at Creekside Middle School, 32 would like the program to continue to the secondary level from seventh to 12th grade.
The task force is looking into offering a couple of classes in Spanish and English. For example, sixth-graders would be taught math in Spanish, and seventh-graders would be taught math in English. Other subjects, such as science and social studies, also could be taught in both languages.
The task force suggested that the elementary school portion of the program begin at Las Palmas Elementary School before moving to east Patterson’s future Walnut Grove School when it opens to students. Curriculum for elementary and secondary students would be based on state and district standards.
The dual-language program could begin in the fall, but research still needs to be done on some factors, such as cost.
 Pondering: Grayson Charter School first-grader Eduardo Medina stops to think during an English writing assignment at the dual-language campus. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator
“Having qualified staff is a major concern,” Guerrero said. “That’s going to be a key component.”
Also, parents and students must commit to a long period of time to develop second-language proficiency in academics.
“We have to let parents know there is a commitment of at least six years, so the student can benefit from this program,” Guerrero said.
He stressed there must be strong parent-and-school communication, and parents must be involved.
The task force has visited schools in Gilroy and San Jose to see how those schools run similar programs.
A local dual-language program would give students exposure to a second language while they focus on academic development.
Board President Ruben Piña received applause from the school board audience when he said students who graduate from Patterson High School and then college would be bilingual and employable.
“This is what we’re looking at — academic success,” Piña said.
- To reach Maddy Houk at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail her at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
