Frequently Asked Questions
Dual Immersion students have a high success rate with a second language and academics. They develop cultural awareness while gaining the advantages of being bilingual and biliterate in a global community.
English speakers and Spanish speakers are brought together in the same classroom to develop fluency and literacy in both languages. Kindergarten and early grades are taught mostly in Spanish. The amount of English-language instruction increases as students progress in grade level.
No. Parents do not need to be bilingual for their children to enroll and succeed in a dual immersion program.
Enrollment for the dual immersion program is encouraged for students entering kindergarten who are either native speakers of English, or native speakers of a “target” language (in CCLA’s dual immersion program, Spanish is considered the target language).
Students who come from a dual immersion program and/or are bilingual / bi-literate are welcome to enroll at any grade level.
Students from all language backgrounds can enroll in our Middle School program (grades 7 & 8). Our program is especially beneficial for immigrants whose primary language is Spanish.
English speakers who acquire a second language in their early years benefit because that’s when the human brain is most receptive to language learning. Dual Immersion learners become highly proficient in the target language (Spanish). Social benefits include cultural awareness and positive attitudes about ethnic diversity. Being bilingual offers a competitive advantage in today’s globalized economy.
Entry level skills* are the same as for regular kindergarten; the dual immersion learner should be able to:
- Identify the names of the letters in their name and print their name using a capital letter and lowercase letters
- Identify numbers 0-10 and be able to orally count to 20
- Sit attentively for 15 minutes
- Button buttons, zip zippers, and tie shoes
- Know nine basic colors: black, white, red, green, blue, yellow, orange, purple, and brown
- Recite the alphabet in English or Spanish
- Identify a circle, square, triangle, and rectangle
- Follow a simple two part direction
- Hold a pencil correctly and cut on a straight line
*Dual immersion is not recommended for a child with a significant communication delay in their primary language.
The program encourages parental commitment to long-term participation in the program from grades K-8. Parents will also learn to support a child by reading to their child 20-30 minutes daily, practicing and encouraging the use of the target language outside of school, volunteering, and helping to promote understanding of dual immersion, enjoying the challenges, and celebrating the results!
Transportation will only be provided to 7th and 8th grade students who reside in the former attendance area for Cook Middle School. Parents for all other students must provide their own transportation.
Yes. Program assessments are the same as for non-dual immersion students. A few assessments used by the district include :
- Let’s Go Learn
- Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)
- Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA)
- English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC)
- Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)
- Smarter Balanced Assessment California (SBAC)
