DUAL IMMERSION PROGRAM
The Dual Immersion (DI) Program in PUSD integrates English Learner students and English proficient students for the purpose of developing bilingualism, biliteracy and biculturalism.
Instruction is delivered at Kindergarten in Spanish 90% of the day and in English 10%; this gradually shifts until the end of 5th grade where 50% of the day is spent in each language.
The curriculum taught is aligned with the Common Core State Standards in Language Arts, Mathematics and all other subjects.
Students attain a new language
High Academic Achievement
Job opportunities in many careers
Critical and creative thinking promoted
Students will gain language proficiency in both Spanish and English
Academic achievement in Spanish and English
Positive self-esteem, cultural awareness and sensitivity
DUAL IMMERSION PHILOSOPHY
Language learning is natural for young children
Language learning encourages mental development
Language learning prepares students for diversity
Kindergarten students who speak Spanish, English or both can participate. Classes are balanced among the language groups.There is no specific criteria, but rather parents choose to enroll their child in the Dual Immersion Program, committing to a period of 6 years (K-5).
Usually, students enter the Dual Immersion Program at Kindergarten. Sometimes students qualify to enter at later grade levels, on a case-by-case basis.
A selection process for the Dual Immersion Program will take place following Kindergarten registration. If more students apply than the number of available openings, a lottery will be held following the priority criteria set below:
Children of current PUSD employees
Siblings of students already in the DI Program
Students that live within the PUSD boundaries
PROGRAM MODEL – “90/10”
The Dual Immersion Program combines students from two language groups and teaches then in both of their languages. The program includes balanced numbers of English, Spanish and Bilingual speaking students.
At first, a Spanish-speaking teacher teaches students the majority of the day in Spanish. An English- speaking teacher also teaches students in English.
Gradually, the language of instruction shifts until the end of 5th grade where 50% of the day is in Spanish and 50% of the day is in English. Throughout, students help each other to speak, read, write and understand one another’s language.