Dual language programming at Washoe County’s schools is expanding according to a presentation at last week’s district Board of Trustees meeting. Trustees on Tuesday heard an update on two dual language programs within the district—one at Jessie Beck Elementary School and another at Mt. Rose K-8 school—and an expansion to Wooster High School being piloted this fall.
Since 2008, both native English speakers and non-English speakers in Jessie Beck’s K-5 classes have been placed in the same classroom, and instruction is provided equally in both English and Spanish. The practice promotes bilingualism by following a 50/50 model, meaning English and Spanish are taught equally throughout every grade level.
Mount Rose K-8 has had a dual language program since 2009. A significant portion of student instruction is provided in Spanish allowing students to develop proficiency in both their native and target languages. The school’s model is a 90/10 model, meaning Spanish is taught the most first, gradually reducing to 10% as the children age. At the end of the program, eighth-graders take AP Spanish courses to earn college credit.
“Both models emphasize strong academic content through language learning, while also supporting cognitive development and cultural immersion,” a staff report said. “Through two-way immersion and dual language programming, schools offer a rich, inclusive educational experience that helps prepare students to be global leaders in a diverse society.”
At Wooster, the program includes incoming Mt. Rose AP Spanish students, Vaughn Middle Years Program students and newcomers meeting math and language proficiency levels. Through the bilingual program, students will be able to take certain math and social studies classes in Spanish.
Students excel
Jennifer Van Tress, who has oversight of the district’s specialized instruction, said students in the programs have shown success not only in Spanish language skills but also in other coursework.
According to district data, students in the program have an overall competency in English Language Arts (ELA) of 73%, nearly 30% above the district average. They also show an overall competency in math of 62%, 22% above the district average. Mt. Rose students, specifically, have an 81% ELA proficiency rate and a 72% math proficiency rate. As of the 2023 school year, a quarter of students in the programs are English language learners.
Expansion Opportunities
According to Megan Waugh, the district’s director of English language development, WCSD students speak 103 languages.
Trustee Diane Nicolet asked if there were opportunities to include other languages in addition to Spanish.
“Echo Loder [Elementary School] had a Mandarin program at one point,” Waugh said. “As with most things when we’re trying to launch, there are certain barriers that we do come across. Not saying that it wouldn’t be possible, I think that we would just need to do a tremendous amount of research, look at different models across the nation and really hone in on the needs and the support that we can provide here in Washoe County.”
Nicolet said the continuity and programming have been excellent, and asked what the “secret” is in retaining staff.
“It is not an easy feat by any means but I do know that [Jessie Beck] Principal Brown is a huge champion and advocate for these programs here in Washoe County,” Waugh said.
The district has four English language coordinators and 35 facilitators and offers professional development for educators to receive a bilingual teaching endorsement. However, Board President Beth Smith said she believes the district would need to hire a dual-language coordinator to expand this programming.
“When I think of opportunities for support and expansion, I think we need someone on a district level watching all these programs grow,” Smith said. “Dual language learning is different and I do believe that there should be coordination at a district level.”
Smith said in addition to CTE and dual-credit attainment, the largest ask from families is expanded language programs.
“We do it very, very well, but it’s one of those areas I think we’re on the cusp of truly embracing that next chapter and I would like to see that since so many families are looking for that opportunity,” Smith said.
