Trustees discuss current state and future of Bilingual education program

The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees held its December Workshop on the 9th. A recap of the agenda is below.

1.      Roll Call.

2.      Verification of compliance with open meetings requirements.

3.      In opening comments, Superintendent Dr. Keeley Boyer let the board members know, due to the presenter’s illness, item 5-B of this agenda will be moved to future meeting.

4.      There was no public comment.  

5.      Report/Discussion Items

A.      Trustees received an update on the Bilingual program. An analysis of Emergent Bilingual (EB) student performance has led to a potential shift in program model to improve student outcomes.

Currently, a Dual Language Immersion Two-Way program model is in use at Cameron Dual Language Elementary and a Dual Language Immersion One-Way program model is in use at 20 elementary schools in ECISD.

A months-long review included listening sessions with teachers and principals, a look at academic performance trends, TELPAS performance (an assessment that measures English proficiency), staffing capacity, program implementation, and exploring models used in other school districts.   

Over the past couple of years academic results show declines, and low numbers of students are showing English proficiency and exiting from the Bilingual program. Staffing and professional development are the most impactful component of a successful Dual Language program along with the quality of resources, and program structure. Unfortunately, a lack of certified Bilingual teachers is a problem in ECISD, throughout Texas, and the nation. University of Texas’ The Meadow Center is a leader in monitoring state education trends, and ECISD recently hosted a visit with a lead researcher from The Meadows Center to assist in evaluating the current situation and the best way forward for students.

Dual Language One-Way is considered a high-quality approach to Bilingual Education, however, considering the context of the situation facing ECISD - specifically, the need for certified Bilingual teachers - making a change to an Early Exit program would be a pragmatic approach.

A Transitional Bilingual/Early Exit program model is one in which Emergent bilingual students receive instruction in literacy and academic content in Spanish as well as English from teachers certified in bilingual education. It is implemented as fully in Spanish in prekindergarten through second grade, transitioning to English instruction in third grade.  

 

B.      AI discussion postponed to a later date.

 

6.      There was no closed session.

7.      There were no closing remarks,

8.      The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.