Dual Language Leadership Institute

The initial work of the DL Transition Team is outlined in this session, including composing the mission and vision statements for the secondary DL program, as well as connecting with the families of the elementary DL students to learn more about their wishes for their children as they move into secondary DL program. Drawing upon lessons learned from other elementary programs that transitioned to secondary, the threats to the success and sustainability of the secondary program are examined to allow the district and the DL Transition Team to be proactive in addressing the issues if they arise. Finally, a system is shared to assist in the decision regarding the locations for the secondary DL program. 

Links to “Fulfilling the Promise of Biliteracy: Creating a Successful and Sustainable Secondary Dual Language Program”: 

Y1.10 Create Secondary DL Mission and Vision Statements 

Y1.11 Connect with Elementary DL Families and Students 

Y1.12 Examine the Threats to the Success and Sustainability of the Secondary DL Program 

Y1.13 Determine the Locations for the Secondary DL Program 

One of the most important components of a successful and sustainable secondary DL program is the student eligibility policy. In this session, how other secondary programs have crafted their policies is shared for the DL Transition Team to consider. Other important components, determining the secondary DL courses and identifying the partner language curriculum for each are also explored.

Links to “Fulfilling the Promise of Biliteracy: Creating a Successful and Sustainable Secondary Dual Language Program”: 

Y2.5 Identify Secondary DL Curriculum

One of the greatest challenges for a secondary DL program is getting the DL courses on the master schedule so that they do not conflict with other programs that are competing for the attention and participation of secondary students. In this session, how to advocate for priority placement of the DL courses on the master schedule is explored. To ensure that the DL program is delivering on its promise of biliteracy and high academic achievement, the importance of establishing a student progress monitoring system is shared along with suggestions on the types of data that may be used to capture students’ areas of strength and areas for growth. In anticipation of great student success, recognitions for DL students are highlighted. To ensure the sustainability of the secondary DL program, drafting a budget is discussed, and the value of updating the families and community on the progress in establishing and engaging them in the secondary DL program is examined.

Links to “Fulfilling the Promise of Biliteracy: Creating a Successful and Sustainable Secondary Dual Language Program”: 

Y2.6 Create a Secondary DL Student Progress Monitoring System 

Y2.7 Draft a Secondary Master Schedule 

Y2.8 Plan Seal of Biliteracy Pathway and District Recognitions 

Y2.9 Create a DL Budget Plan 

Y2.10 Garner DL Family and Community Feedback and Support for Secondary DL Program 

In the first half of the year prior to the launch of the secondary DL program, there will be an opportunity to finalize the DL program staffing. In this session, the teacher recruitment program is the primary focus. Verifying if there are sufficient in-district secondary teachers who are qualified, credentialed/authorized, and interested in teaching in the DL program will determine if there is a need to recruit from outside the district. The secondary teacher interview protocol, including the interview questions, panel participants, and writing samples, is reviewed to determine its ability to identify the most qualified biliterate, bicultural teachers for the DL program. Creating a plan to engage DL families in the secondary DL program that values their linguistic and cultural contributions to the development of students’ sociocultural competence is also discussed. As the second half of the year approaches, the importance of identifying and adopting a DL program for continuous program improvement and a teacher reflection system to support the professional learning and growth of the secondary DL teachers, is explored. 

Links to “Fulfilling the Promise of Biliteracy: Creating a Successful and Sustainable Secondary Dual Language Program”: 

Y3.3 Finalize Secondary DL Program Staffing Opportunities 

Y3.4 Establish Secondary DL Teacher Interview Protocol 

Y3.5 Begin Secondary DL Teacher Recruitment 

Y3.6 Create a Secondary DL Family Engagement Plan 

Y3.7 Develop/Adopt DL Program and Teacher Reflection Systems 

The finishing touches to the comprehensive plan to implement a successful and sustainable secondary DL program are the focus of the final half of the year prior to the program’s launch. In this session, designing a secondary DL administrator and teacher professional learning plan is highlighted. Partnering with bilingual teacher education programs that prepares DL secondary teachers is explored to provide a future secondary DL teacher pipeline to sustain the program. The importance of setting in motion a system to support the success and sustainability of the secondary DL program in its first year and beyond by establishing a secondary DL District Leadership Team to provide shared, collaborative leadership for the program is examined. In the second half of the session, a panel of secondary DL experts respond to participant questions on various aspects of establishing and sustaining a secondary DL program. 

Links to “Fulfilling the Promise of Biliteracy: Creating a Successful and Sustainable Secondary Dual Language Program”: 

Y3.8 Design Secondary DL Administrator and Teacher Professional Learning Plan 

Y3.9 Develop Future DL Teacher Pipeline 

Y3.10 Launch the Secondary DL District Leadership Team