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Sixth International Conference on Immersion and Dual Language Education: Connecting Research and Practice Across Contexts

October 20–22, 2016

Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Dual Language Immersion: A Journey of Words and Cultures, Lessons Learned

Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 3:00 PM–4:00 PM CDT
Greenway Ballroom C
Session Type

Paper/Best Practice Session (1 hour)

Immersion/Partner Language(s)

Spanish

Context/program model

One-Way Second/Foreign Language Immersion

Level

Elementary (K-5)

Program Summary

Representatives from a suburban school system share their journey of beginning language immersion programs.  A representative from Visiting International Faculty, the sister organization for programming, will discuss the level of support needed for the program’s success. Results from a program evaluation will be shared including academic impact and program perceptions. 

Abstract/Description for Paper, Discussion, and Laptop Poster presentations

Representatives from a sub-urban school system in North Carolina share their journey of beginning dual language immersion programs in various schools within the district.  The first programs were started five years ago and now support instruction grades K-4. Nine separate programs have been started and represent 2 languages, Spanish (7) and Mandarin (2). Union County Public School (UCPS) representatives will share the challenges that exist for leaders of the programs as well as highlight program successes.  Also, UCPS will share the strategic plan of offering a dual language program as a choice for all rising kindergarteners district-wide.

A representative from Visiting International Faculty (VIF), the sister organization for UCPS Immersion Programs, will discuss the program’s scope and sequence as well as the level of support needed for the program’s success. In addition, the VIF representative will discuss teacher recruitment, retention and development.  The VIF representative will discuss program design, sustainability and expansion plans in UCPS as well as North Carolina.

Results from a program evaluation will be shared including academic impact and program perceptions. The program evaluation, A Study of a Spanish Immersion Program and Its Impact on the Academic Achievement of First Grade Students, sought to identify the academic progress of students in the first grade Spanish Immersion class compared to the students in the non-immersion classroom in the area of reading and literacy skills. This study also sought to identify the perceptions of the program from both staff members working in the schools and parents who currently have students enrolled in the program. 

Practical takeaways include:

a) A checklist/timeline of implementation used in building programs

b) Access to the program evaluation

c) A copy of the presentation, including examples of program highlights

Lead Presenter/organizer

David C. Clarke, Union County Public Schools
Role/Title

Deputy Superintendent of Human Resources

State (in US) or Country

NC

Co-Presenters

Tom Bulla, Union County Public Schools
Role/Title

Director of HR Operations

State (in US) or Country

NC

Sharyn G. VonCannon, Union County Public Schools, Unionville Elementary School
Role/Title

Principal

State (in US) or Country

NC

Kevin Smith, Visiting International Faculty
Role/Title

Associate Director for Dual Language Programs

State (in US) or Country

NC

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