Seventh International Conference on Immersion and Dual Language Education

Strand II: Advocacy & Policy

Multiple

All

District and school leaders of Two-way Bilingual Immersion (TWBI) and One-way Developmental Bilingual Education (OWDBE) programs are no longer “on their own” when it comes to implementing effective programs. As the popularity of multilingual education grows in the United States and programs proliferate nationwide, state-level program support is increasing as well. Panelists from three states will share recent developments in their states’ policies and practices, highlighting how shifts at the state education department level positively impact programming at the district and school level. Topics of discussion will include the role that state policy plays in encouraging effective program implementation based on current research and best practices; challenges faced when promoting TWBI and OWDBE program implementation at the state level; interplay between state and federal requirements in program design and implementation; and resources and tools that state leaders are developing to support effective implementation of TWBI and OWDBE programs. Leaders from three states will share the progress they are making to increase the footprint of multilingual education programs in their states. Participants can begin to envision new possibilities in their own states and prepare to advocate for changes in policy and practice that will positively influence the quality of their TWBI and OWDBE programs.