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Meeting Date:
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6/5/2020 - 6:00 AM
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Category:
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Curriculum and Instruction
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Type:
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Info
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Subject:
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Dual Language Program Update
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ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
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Goal 1: Academic Excellence and Educational Equity
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Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
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File Attachment:
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Agenda Item Summary:
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Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is expanding the Dual Language Program model to the middle school level to achieve the program goals of bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural understanding for students, and promote the cognitive benefits and high levels of academic achievement associated with bilingualism and dual language education. The Dual Language Program strand in middle school will consist of two courses in Spanish: Spanish Language Arts and Social Studies. To meet the goal of optimally providing program services to families on both the east and west sides of Alexandria City, and to accommodate future expansion of the Dual Language Program at John Adams Elementary School, the Dual Language Program will be offered at two middle school sites: George Washington Middle School and Francis C. Hammond Middle School.
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Background:
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Dual Language Programs are a form of enrichment education based on over 40 years of research showing the advantages of learning a second language through academic content instruction. In 2014-2015, ACPS renewed its commitment to dual language education by creating a new Dual Language Coordinator position. A needs assessment was conducted, a five-year dual language strategic plan (2015-2020) was collaboratively developed for improving the program, and Mount Vernon Community School began the transition to a whole-school dual language program beginning with its’ Kindergarten classes. Those Kindergarten students from the 2014-2015 school year are now in 5th grade. Expansion of the Dual Language Program to the secondary level supports the program goalsof biliteracy, bilingualism, high achievement, and cultural competence for students, enables more students to reach the advanced levels of second language proficiency in demand in today’s global economy, and assists in closing the opportunity and achievement gaps. Expansion of the program to middle school also aligns with program structure goals in the Dual Language Strategic Plan 2015-2020and responds to requests from parents of current dual language students, a majority of whom have indicated that they would like this option.
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Recommendation:
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The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the attachment to this brief and remain current with regard to the status of expansion of the Dual Language Program to the middle school level and enhancement of the program at the K-5 level.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Dr. Terri H. Mozingo - Chief Academic Officer
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Signed By:
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Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent
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