Dual Language Program in Jerome

Jerome School District will be implemented a Dual Language Program into their Kindergarten curriculum in the 2016/2017 school year.

Dual Language Programs are a form of education in which students are taught literacy and content in two languages. The majority of dual language programs in the United States teach in English and Spanish. This may seem like a relatively new concept but the first two-way bilingual school, began in 1963 at Coral Way Elementary, a K-8 school in Dade County, Florida.

The Dual Language program that is being implemented in Jerome Elementary schools is based of a program that is used in Utah to teach students 2 languages. With this program students will be taught half their school day in English and half their school day in Spanish. Basically they will learn everything in both languages....ABC's, reading, writing, etc. In 1st grade students will be taught one day in Spanish and the next day in English. The goal of this type of structure is to make all students fluent in both languages by 5th grade.

According to Janet Avery, Jerome School Districts Curriculum Director, the school district decided to implement the program because of interest from community members and the schools Spanish speaking population. The schools goal is to teach children two languages in hopes of making them more appealing to employers when they graduate High School. Avery also stated that parents are excited about the opportunity for their children to learn two languages.

Do you think this program is a step in the right direction for Jerome School District?