Friday, October 5, 2012

Raise your voices for dual immersion

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In March of this year Education Week published a story on the growing number of dual immersion education in schools across the country.

Studies show an increased number in scores on ACT and SAT tests for students who have achieved bilingualism (Lindholm-Leary 2001), (Thomas & Collier, 2001).

The studies have proven many other benefits for both English native speakers and non-native English speakers, including increased IQ. Now as we see the rest of the country investing in dual immersion, our district is shrinking this program and it is also not a true dual immersion in the middle or high school. 

Some say this program is not for everyone, yet other countries, including the top 10 nations in the world, require all students to learn two languages.

As I research colleges for my son, I can attest to the fact that both the ACT and SAT scores will eventually decide many of the colleges my child may get into. If you knew of a proven way to increase our student test scores on those two tests, would you stand behind it? 

Tell your school board representative how important this type of education is and by all means do research the facts.  The district seems bent on increasing character education and other programs, which do not show any increase in the SAT and ACT test scores for college entrance. 

If you cannot make the district’s meeting on Oct. 8 at the Community Campus, please at least write. This is a turning point in our district’s future. 

We can succumb to the easy character education or we can buck up like other countries and adopt the rigorous education that will create highly educated college bound students.

Sheri Thomas

Hailey

 

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