1. Dual Language @ HPS

2. Welcome! Thanks for being here.

3. Vision for HPS Kindergarten Establish the foundation for life-long learning in a safe and nurturing environment.

4. Belief Statement for HPS Kindergarten Holland Public Schools believes kindergartners achieve success through: Language rich environments Play and exploration Opportunities to develop basic life, social, and academic skills Child-centered, interactive experiences Developmentally appropriate paced instruction Active and engaged adult support at school and at home Explicit modeling and guided practice High academic and behavioral expectations

5. Defining the program Two-Way Immersion (TWI) is a dual language education approach in which two languages are used for instruction. Typically, this is English and a partner language. In HPS the partner language will be Spanish. The unique feature of this type of instruction is that in a TWI environment approximately the same number of native English speakers and native speakers of the partner language (Spanish) are enrolled, and these two groups are integrated for all or most of the school day. In this unique setting, all students have the opportunity to “model” their native language as well as “learn” the second language. Research studies have shown that quality Two-Way Immersion (TWI) programs enhance student learning as the students progress year by year.

6. Proficiency in Spanish It takes 5-7 years for a student (individual) to become proficient in acquiring a foreign language

7. Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education Strand 1Assessment and Accountability Strand 2Curriculum Strand 3Instruction Strand 4Staff Quality and Professional Development Strand 5Program Structure Strand 6Family and Community Strand 7Support and Resources

8. Plan for Implementation 2009-2010Kindergarten 2010-2011Kindergarten + 1 st Grade 2011-2012Kindergarten + 1 st Grade + 2 nd Grade 2012-2013Kindergarten + 1 st Grade + 2 nd Grade + 3 rd Grade …through the 5 th grade

9. Enrollment Procedures West K-7 students receive enrollment priority due to the fact that this is their “home” school. If space is available, other students in HPS would have the opportunity to voluntarily transfer into the program following HPS voluntary internal transfer procedures. For “Non” West K-7 students enrolling in the Dual Language program, parents would be required to follow the district’s internal transfer process based upon availability for siblings in other grades. Voluntary internal transfer parents are responsible for transporting their children. Selection process for determining Dual Language enrollment would be based upon a first come-first served basis.

10. A bit of what research says… In 3rd grade, students score slightly below their peers on standardized tests. In 5th grade, students score at or above average compared to their peers on standardized tests.

11. What this means to the district… Program commitment (6 years of K-5) English speaking students can only begin the program in KDG Bilingual speaking students not monolingual students Class (same group of students-they move on together) Class size (12 English speaking and 12 Spanish speaking students = Ideal) ½ time Spanish – ½ time English Teacher: Native language proficiency - Required

12. What does this mean to you?

13. Dual Language @ HPS