The school district in Visalia is getting $400,000 from the state of California. More than one hundred schools asked for money grants. Only 27 schools were chosen. The money will be used to improve programs that support Dual Language Immersion learning strategies and other programs. The amount of money each school will get ranges from $250,000 to $400,000.
According to a quote from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond in a press release, they wrote earlier this year. “I have been a longtime advocate for multilingual education, and increasing the number of multilingual programs throughout California is a key priority. The DLIG provides an opportunity for California students to learn multiple languages, which helps create a competitive workforce for today’s global economy. Additionally, multilingual education supports greater language acquisition for all students and promotes the assets of our students who speak languages other than English at home.”
There has been a growing demand for dual language immersion programs in California recently. These programs provide an opportunity for students to learn two languages simultaneously. As a result, they can develop a deeper understanding of both cultures. There are currently more than 730 dual language immersion programs throughout the state, and demand continues to rise.
To keep up with this demand, California has provided grant money to school districts to help them start or expand their programs. More than 25 other school districts – including Cutler-Orosi – were also given grants to create dual immersion programs. Here is the list of schools and districts to whom the California Department of Education gave grant money:
· Armona Elementary School, $400,000
· Castro Valley Unified School District, $350,000
· Chino Valley Unified School District, $400,000
· Corona Norco Unified School District, $380,000
· Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District, $380,000
· Firebaugh-La Deltas Unified School District, $300,000
· Fullerton School District, $400,000
· Hamilton Unified School District, $380,000
· Kelseyville Unified School District, $380,000
· La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, $380,000
· Lake Tahoe Unified School District, $250,000
· Madera Unified School District, $380,000
· New Haven Unified School District, $380,000
· Oakland Unified School District, $400,000
· Petaluma City Schools, $350,000
· Placerville Union School District, $250,000
· Riverbank Unified School District, $380,000
· San Bernardino City Unified School District, $380,000
· San Luis Coastal Unified School District, $400,000
· Sanger Unified School District, $380,000
· Santa Ana Unified School District, $380,000
· Santa Rosa City Schools, $380,000
· Visalia Unified School District, $400,000
· West Putnam Elementary School, $380,000
· Westminster School District, $380,000
· Winters Joint Unified School District, $400,000
· Yu Ming Charter School, $380,000
The only school in Visalia Unified School District with a dual immersion program is Mountain View Elementary School. The program is called the VISTA program. Right now, it is only open to kindergarten and first-grade students.
In Mountain View’s dual immersion program, students get to spend their week in the VISTA program learning English and math, science, and social studies instruction. Students may participate in the VISTA program for up to three years until they go to middle school. The VISTA program says that students can read and write in both English and Spanish by the time they finish.
The $400,000 grant the district received will go towards expanding Mountain View’s VISTA program; schools will add more grades to the program. In addition, the state will hand out the payments in six installments. In addition, they will send out Two payments each year: one in July and one in December.
These funds will help schools prepare unique and interesting dual immersion programs so students can quickly go into fields that pay more for bilingual candidates.
How Student Hires Programs Prepare Students to Learn Different Languages
At Student Hires, every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed in school and life. That’s why we offer a variety of hands-on experiential learning programs led by college students designed to increase the career readiness of disadvantaged youth in our community. Our programs focus on dual language development, STEM education, and college and career readiness.
Providing access to these programs can help level the playing field for all young people, regardless of their socio-economic background. We aim to give every student the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in whatever path they choose. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your child reach their full potential.
Conclusion
The Visalia Unified School District is set to receive $400,000 in grant money from the state of California to help fund its Dual Language Immersion program; This fantastic opportunity for the district will undoubtedly help many students become bilingual and bi-literate. We’ll be keeping an eye on this story as it develops further.