Some parents of children in dual language classrooms are disappointed that the classes are being phased out and about the way the Emporia school district handled the decision.
The program involves both English- and Spanish-speaking students and teaches them to learn and become fluent in both languages. Classes run from kindergarten through fourth grade.
The Emporia Board of Education voted unanimously to phase out the local program at its meeting April 25. No suitable teachers had been found by the April 1 hiring date.
Kindergarten students who were enrolled in dual language this year can continue until fifth grade, and lower-grade dual language classes will be phased out.
Superintendent John Heim, who recommended the proposal, said that the district had struggled to keep staff in the program.
“I think it’s a great program and I really struggled with whether we should phase it out or not. I didn’t want to do it,” Heim said. “If I thought there was another way to do it that would be as effective, without watering the program down, we would have done it.”
Heim said that recruiting qualified teachers lies at the crux of the program. Dual-language teachers need to have elementary endorsements. Most Spanish teachers have endorsements for teaching at secondary level.
“If we had an elementary person who was certified in elementary ed and could teach Spanish, that would be perfect,” Heim said.
This year, it seemed that four of the five dual-language positions would be open. One position had not been filled from last year, one teacher resigned, and two requested transfers. Heim said that the latter two agreed to stay with the program as it was phased out, so two openings remain unfilled.
“When we’ve been able to recruit people and we’ve lost them it’s because they’ve gone to metropolitan areas, at least in our experience,” Heim said. “We had to make a decision in time for kindergarten enrollment. ... We didn’t want to take any students if we didn’t staff what we had.”
The voluntary program began six years ago at Riverside Elementary School. Parents of children in dual-language classes said that they had understood that the goal was to expand it to other elementary schools in the district.
“I kind of wish we would have been informed,” said Tim Mohn. Mohn and his wife, Kristi, are parents of twins, Mason and Sydney, who are third-grade students in dual language classes.
“We were really happy with the program and the teachers and everything. ... We went from thinking they were going to expand the program to phasing it out and they didn’t bother telling the parents or anything,” he said.
Heim said Monday afternoon that he regretted the manner in which parents heard of the phasing-out plan.
“We dropped the ball on that,” Heim said. “They’re right about that. We were holding out hope that we would be able to staff the program. We should have, in hindsight, we should have communicated that better to parents.”
Mohn questioned whether a thorough search had been made to find qualified teachers and asked during the April board meeting whether the program was a priority.
“How hard did they try?” Mohn said he asked. “I really didn’t get an answer.”
Not all of the teachers in the program are dual-language teachers, Mohn said. One teacher has a minor in Spanish, though teaches only the English portion of classes in third and fourth grades.
“She’s a great teacher,” Mohn said.
A teacher qualified to teach in Spanish handles those classes.
The district had difficulty hiring dual-language program teachers for the current school year, and “patched it together” with the two-teacher solution, he said.
“My understanding was that the research on that — they call it a 50-50 model — is not as effective as a true dual-language program,” Heim said.
The district does not want to hire new staff on a 50-50 basis, he said. Two Spanish teachers were hired this spring; however, both are certified for secondary school, not elementary.
Cecil McKenzie, parent of a first-grade student, said that he was dismayed over the decision and the way it was handled.
McKenzie and his wife, Lisa, sent their 7-year-old daughter Cecilia to Riverside specifically for the dual language opportunity.
“She normally would be in Timmerman,” McKenzie said. “We felt it was worth it to take her to Riverside so that she could be involved in that program.”
The program was one that was admired outside Emporia as an innovative educational tool. The McKenzies, who are glassblowers, travel nationwide to arts shows and had talked with others about Emporia’s dual language classes.
“Usually when we’ve told people our child is involved, they just think it’s a real plus, an enlightened approach to education, which seems to make sense to me,” McKenzie said.
Both men said that their children had benefited considerably from the program. All three are fluent in Spanish. The classes helped make them better students and gave them a useful skill they would carry through their lives. Mohn said he believes learning a second language is good for children, from a functional viewpoint as well as an intellectual one.
“We’re one of the only countries that teaches our kids only one language, and we’re rather arrogant about it as well,” Mohn said.
McKenzie agreed, saying that the makeup of Emporia’s population is increasingly Hispanic. The dual-language program gave his daughter the ability to communicate better with that community.
“She sees Hispanic people in the grocery store and she goes up and starts speaking Spanish to them,” he said. “It’s really too bad that (the program) is probably going to pass by the wayside.”
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Uh, the program was teaching the kids to speak English and Spanish, duh.
Put your glasses on.
I'm perfectly okay with anyone learning to speak any language--it makes for better opportunities.
It's interesting, Snake. You come across as fearful that your American-ness isn't rubbing off on all the other people so you insist on throwing your American-ness in people's faces which, in turn, just makes you look like a bigot who has nothing better to do than cause vitriol all over. And when was the last time you DIDN'T blame Tyson for something? I don't remember. But I am quite certain that innocent children learning to speak more than one language has ZERO to do with Tyson.
It has to do with education.
M
May 24, 2007 at 4:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoahjoe (anonymous) says...
While it is true that being fluent in another language is beneficial, I believe that the bigger picture is being missed. The time being spent on a second language is time being taken away from the 3R's. It is sad when you have high school graduates who can not read, spell or add. These fundamentals will propel a student further in life.
May 24, 2007 at 6:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wasp (anonymous) says...
It used to be that immigrants were proud to learn English. Now, they use not knowing English as a crutch to avoid doing their jobs in a workplace because they "no comprende".
I have to wholeheartedly agree with zoahjoe. It is sad when the kid at the Sonic has to whip out their calculator to figure out how much change the need to give you when you give them $5.01 to pay for a $3.76 order!
May 24, 2007 at 7:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
I have had the same problem a penny throws them kids into a spin out there. If they dont have that calculator (forget it). The taxes people are paying in this town these kids should know math. The health dept is now whining that they need more money. Our taxes are going up... its coming . Do you know why the SUDDEN increase hmmmm ???? The Somalians should just stick a tent outside of that SOB with all of there diseases the health dept CLAIMS they dont have. These people came from huts with dirt floors . Since services are FREE on our higher taxes, they want there teeth done , there eyes checked , and all of those diseases handled. Add free prescriptions to the list. Then add all of those illegals POURING IN and there 10 kids per family we are expected to support. Its NO wonder you need more money. Which leads me to my next opinion. Most of those kids are here illegally or there anchor babies so my feelings are LEARN ENGLISH OR GO HOME. I WOULD PREFER THE SECOND CHOICE.... GO HOME ! Come here the right way. SNAKE IS RIGHT, THAT WORTHLESS COMPANY RUINED THIS TOWN. The rich few that brought these people here... DONT live in our hoods.
May 24, 2007 at 10:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
holenone3 (anonymous) says...
I totally agree with you Snake. This is America, and we speak English, and nothing else. I am sick and tired of hearing about people losing their jobs because they don't speak Spanish, bull$#!+. I am of German heritage, so maybe we all should speak German then, but no, my ancestors learned to speak English and nothing else. If they want to keep on speaking Spanish, then GO BACK TO MEXICO where they speak it. I hope that Tyson closes soon, and get this city back to a decent city. From a Patriotic American. They talk about racism, just look at what they are trying to do to this country. They are the racists as far as I'm concerned.
May 25, 2007 at 12:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
siamesefred (anonymous) says...
Good grief, people!
I have a cousin who lives in Indianapolis who attends a dual-language school. Students have the choice of German or French tracks. ALL glasses are taught in both English and the chosen foreign language. Actually, most classes are taught in the foreign language.
By beginning in kindergarten and continuing through 6th grade, the kids leave the school fluent in a second language because they're easier to learn when that young than waiting until high school and college.
Obviously, French and German aren't chosen because of working factories. I also know a kid in Chase County who has recognized that Chinese likely will be the global language to know when he grows up. So, he's trying to learn Chinese, figuring that market will be where the commerce boom is in 10 years.
There is nothing wrong with our kids trying to learn two languages. And it has nothing to do with Tyson or immigration.
May 25, 2007 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
While learning a second language early is a good thing, they learn so much easier when younger, I totally agree that the non-english speaking use it as a excuse.
We are totally off topic of the reasons this article was written. But I more than understand the frustrations of this community with all of "non' english speaking and what Tyson has dumped in laps.
May 25, 2007 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
My question, Why are so many teachers leaving? Of course, the school board will never give an honest answer. I do agree, that no teacher is paid near enough for what they do and have to put up with. I think it would be nice if everyone could learn two or three different languages, but as stated there are just not enough teachers. I have children that are diverse in two languages, but were not dependent on the school system to teach them. Yes, I am one of those who blieves that if you are going to be here in America to live, then you need to speak English. It is not fair to teachers, clerks in the stores or anyone to expect them to cater to you if you do not speak English. I also get tired of the fakes who do not understand English until it comes to money. Explain this to me.
May 25, 2007 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
disgruntledcitizen (anonymous) says...
What is not being said here is that the teachers in USD 253 almost are all being expected to be a "dual language" teacher. My wife is a teacher and because of the ESL (English as a Second Language) students she has to write double the lesson plans and figure out ways for spanish students who barely speak english to understand English words that they might night be aware of. She doesn't get paid any extra for this yet it takes double the time if not triple trying to make these kids understand what she is teaching. And because of this No Child Left Behind law, the teachers are being blamed for the kids not learning. Even if the kids barely speak English, if they don't learn enough to pass the tests then the blame falls back on the teachers. This is a joke and needs to be addressed. The teachers should not be blamed if the spanish child or parent doesn't have the decency to learn English so they can be taught life skills in an ENGLISH SPEAKING school.
May 25, 2007 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
disgruntledcitizen (anonymous) says...
Also, the English kids and even the Spanish kids who have learned English are suffering from this and learning at a slower rate because the teacher has to stop the lesson if ESL students don't understand. Our kids are suffering because of the few students who are not learning English but are still expecting to be taught. I understand learning English isn't going to happen over night but they can atleast put the effort in or go to a spanish school until they can speak the language.
May 25, 2007 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
I am in total agreement "disgrunt". There is a thing(excuse me I cannot think of the word I want to use) but to be voted on to keep English the first language of Kansas. I hope our legislature will make this true. I do not think the burden should be put upon the teachers. I feel for the teachers, because most of the children go home to non speaking English families and therefore have little chance to become fluent in the English language. Believe me, it is frustrating for even the hospitals. Can you imagine what it is like in a delivery room with a child interrupting?
May 25, 2007 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
challenger4 (anonymous) says...
I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU SNAKE! ! aren't you jealous because you hardly speak only one language? Researches states that children who learn two languages are using both sides of their brains and that makes their brains to learn better other tasks like Math, science and other languages and sciences. I wish you SNAKE would be able to speak German and English so you can use your both sides of your brains to think well what are you talking about. "DUAL LANGUAGE Programs are good for the children", they should be implemented in all country. US is the only developed country who teaches only one language, we are behind we should progress.
May 25, 2007 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Challenger4
My wife and I have hosted foreign exchange students and found that their language skills are outstanding. One, who is from Moldova, learned English and Russian as requirements from Kindergarten on. That was in addition to her native language, which is Romanian. She also learned to speak French and Italian before she came to the U.S and picked up a bit of Czech on a short trip she and her family made to Prague. While here she took Spanish at EHS. After one week in class she was tutoring other students.
She was not uncommon. Just about all students in their school system are multi-lingual.
There was something else we found. Her English was better than most American students she knew.
This program seems worthwhile to me. It allows those who speak only Spanish to learn English and vice versa.
May 25, 2007 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoahjoe (anonymous) says...
Challenger4, research also states that children that particpate in art and music programs, do better as well.However, many of these programs are also being cut back.There is reseach to back up just about every point of view.I am curious where your information comes from with regard to the" US being the only developed country to teach only one language."
As I recall, as a former LMS and EHS student second languages were available. While being muti-lingual has its advantages, so does being proficient in ones first language. I would further guess that when the school says fluent, that they merely mean that a student is fluent conversational Spanish. That is a bit of a step from being multi-lingual.
May 25, 2007 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
There just isnt a win-win here. I do however think that the children who dont speak English should be in one class as to not hold back the teachers or the students. Until they can comprehend the language even they as students suffer. These children must be frustrated and embarrassed at times because they cant get involved with other students and the enviroment. I know I would feel that way as a adult. We are going about this the wrong way. It needs to be promptly evaluated and addressed. If we are to uphold the 'no child left behind', then teach them to understand first. Can you really expect the teachers and these kids to feel accomplished the way it is now?
May 26, 2007 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporia (anonymous) says...
Thank you, hottopics and challenger4, for supporting the premise of the program. Let's just step back and think for a minute, folks. Dual-language was suppose to be a win-win situation. However, just with the comments in this section you can see how close-minded our community is and I know some of these same feelings are felt across the nation. Without the support of other educators and the community members, it is difficult to continue such a program. It takes a person a minimum of seven years to gain proficiency in a new language--proficiency being: reading the language, comprehending the language, speaking the language and writing the language. That is a VERY long time--of course everyone has their own rate of learning, however, this is what research says. The program was designed and is used extensively across the nation and the world, to teach students to be bilingual. A good program model includes one-third of the students are one language (english), one-third are the other language (french, spanish, japanese), and one-third are already functional in both languages. The program actually accelerates the language learning of all students involved. It is amazing to see just how proficient children have become in just one year of instruction. All instruction is done in both languages. Children can function in any concept in both languages! However, when you have a community that feels so strongly about Hispanics this way and families that won't dare step foot into Riverside to "mix" their children with the Hispanics, it is difficult to have a successful program. This is NOT a win-win situation. It is our children that suffer. Who would want to take away from their child the OPPORTUNITY to learn a second language to help them become more marketable in a global society?? I feel very sad for my city that we cannot look at the children. It is not my job to figure out who should be here and who should not...my job is to teach ALL children to be successful.
May 26, 2007 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
emporia--this is what I've been saying. I could not agree more with what you just wrote.
M
May 26, 2007 at 8:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
I live next to Riverside and Logan. Pay taxes for these schools but cant use them. Most of the classes are all mexicans. My daughter went one year and it was the last. She was coming home talking more Spanish then English. She was the only white kid in the class. She needs to learn how to read and write her own language before learning another mans. People are getting resentful and some just down right hate these people and there language already. There is no diversity in these schools anymore. Its to much being pushed down the AMERICANS throats. The schools and the law here and our state and our goverment is letting illegals over run our land and our schools . It has caused huge problems . Like property taxes people cant keep up with . I have friends moving because there taxes are to high. When did the United States of America become Mexico. Our goverment is looking out for everyone but the American people. Its a slap in all of our faces and people like my grandfather and my 3 uncles and my father that serviced this country. If I was going to learn a second language it would be Chinese & Japanese there our power house for big business. Not Mexico, We know how to grow beans here.
May 27, 2007 at 12:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
May 27, 2007 at 11:10 p.m. ( permalink )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
May 28, 2007 at 9:58 p.m. ( permalink )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
May 29, 2007 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
May 29, 2007 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
I knew someone would get offended by the truth. Im sorry I did not get a chance to see what you boys had to say. (hah). I am sure it was killer.
May 29, 2007 at 6:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
midnight_rider (anonymous) says...
I agree Barbara61. I should would have liked to have read the comments between dear old melissa, snake, and daveedailey. They always have something good to say. To bad I was gone for the Memorial Day weekend, doing the cemetery thing. I am sure melissa will get on "her high horse" again and fill us in. For someone who does not live in Emporia, she sure makes alot of noise that no one cares about.
May 29, 2007 at 7:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Let's see, midnight_rider:
I told b61 I would be ignoring her from now on. No one who complains that much deserves my time.
That's about all I had to say.
Feel like you have more of a clue now? I don't want anyone to be left out......
Melissa <------riding off on her high horse.
May 29, 2007 at 7:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
Melissa, I missed your comments due to having a life. I am sure it was BORING! I am glad my point got across to you that you need to leave people and there views alone. Not everyone wants to think the same. Have you ever heard the saying "You all laugh at me because Im different and I laugh at you because your all the same " Its ok to not agree with each other but when you attack me thats another game. I sharpen the swords on my tongue at that point.
May 29, 2007 at 8:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
I removed the comments in question because they were extremely personal and hateful and directed at other posters, not the subject matter of the story.
It's a fine line of distinction, and I don't like removing comments. Extremely negative comments about a story will stay. But when they turn into direct attacks on each other, it's time for a time out.
Unfortunately, it looks as if The Gazette staff was busy because once one hateful comment is removed, the remaining hateful comments make no sense.
All of you — Melissa, Snake, Barbara and Dave — had thought-provoking comments within the larger posts. I would welcome those comments again.
You're welcome to contact me directly if you have questions or concerns.
Gwen Larson
Managing Editor
larson@emporiagazette.com
May 30, 2007 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoahjoe (anonymous) says...
I am surprised that the district has the extra money to budget for this program. Most districts are struggling to keep their heads above water, especially with the NCLB mandates. I would be curious what programs were replaced or put on the back-burner for the dual language program.
I would think if extra money exists in the budget, it would be better spent insuring that those who graduate from EHS are literate.
The dual language appears to be a "perk", I would say that is not the focus of public education,or should not be. But, rather
providing students with a strong foundation of basic fundamentals,in which to grow.Electives exist at the high school and middle school level to allow students to experience optional subjects.In the lower school the focus should be reading, writing and arithmetic. An old but true adage.
While this program sounds inclusive,and makes some feel all warm and fuzzy inside by placing all students under the dual language umbrella. The reality is that these students need to be proficient in the English language,to succeed in life.
May 30, 2007 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporia (anonymous) says...
The program didn't take any extra money that a regular teacher would for a classroom position. No other programs were replaced or put on the back burner. If you looked at my original post you would see the reasoning for the program. Research states that by 10th grade students that have been in a dual language program 'out performs' other students in traditional programs on National and State Assessments. It was not a 'perk' program. It was a program designed to ACCELERATE the learning of English for the native Spanish learners. AGAIN, original post--all subjects were taught in BOTH languages. We never left math, reading, writing out of the picture. We did it in both languages and VERY proficiently. I would challenge any of you to have the ability to do that yourselves.
May 30, 2007 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Thank you Gwen. I apologize, but the negative attitude towards some of the posters can really be mean and hateful. I was just trying to protect. I reallly like what the gazette is doing with this. I hope in the near future you will publish some of the comments. I do not think that the people who need to be reading these comments know about them. Everyone should have a chance to see and hear what is being said or thought about in this county and surrounding areas. I hope to see the gazette advertise this more. Our city leaders really need to see how the people feel about what goes on. Thank you daveedailey
May 30, 2007 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Daveedailey -- I think it would be great if the powers that be read the public comments. I'm enjoying the postings to "Fix those roads." They've turned into a laundry list of problem roads in Lyon County. I'm also enjoying the posts to "Thank a teacher." For the most part, those have been very positive and shown just how much impact teachers have in the lives of their students. Often, the teachers and students don't realize how much until much later.
Gwen
May 30, 2007 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
You hit it right on the money Zoahjoe ! We have to teach our kids English first. Glarson I try not to attack peoples comments even when I totally disagree with there statement or I may not have shared the same experience they had. It just seems that Melissa will call people stupid, ignorant, and try to make them feel there wrong for having a different view. Thats why I attacked her and my streets side came out to play. I think thats why snake has a problem with her shes constantly attacking people and there views. You get sick of it after awhile. Other wise I do not criticize no one for thinking different. Thats what America is all about . Look at Venezuela right now. Freedom of speech is extremely important, We all have to treasure it ,even the ones we do not agree with. I will try to keep my street thinking calmer but I will never suppress my thinking or my view of how I may see the story. Thanks barbara61
May 30, 2007 at 10:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Hmmmmm. I don't remember ever using the words "stupid" or "ignorant" in any of my posts. Feel free to double-check. Just click my name & search all my posts.
It's hard to debate any subject when people can only attack and swear at the next person. Makes any argument cheap and therefore, ignorable.
However, I have seemed to upset a couple of people for having a view different than their own......and that must be what is so upsetting.
******************************************
Gwen--remember the conversation about possibly needing specific rules? No swearing, no personal attacks, etc. That's what most public boards have been forced into doing to protect the users and to prevent spam......most posts have to go through a moderator before they are ever allowed on a site.
Just a thought.
M
May 30, 2007 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
Your not worth my time Melissa , Comment on the story at hand.
May 30, 2007 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Barb, please, you are doing exactly what we want to get away from. Yes, the gazette could go through a moderator first and then maybe you would not see anything you post. Yes, there is the freedom of speech, but not to belittle or degrade anyone. Yes, it is nice to read the comments with proper English and proper spelling, but we all make mistakes. This topic has gotten so off track. I still feel sorry for teachers and now I feel for the gazette on the decisions they may have to make about this site.
May 30, 2007 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
Davee, I think I did the right thing. I am just not going to answer to the negitive anymore from her or anyone else. Thats what I meant... I will no longer make time for it. I like talking about the stories I personally dont like the attack crap its childish and it doesnt contribute to the story at all .I agree we are way off the subject.
May 30, 2007 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Curious (anonymous) says...
Is it possible for the Emporia Gazette to do a survey of parents of the Dual Language program to see what they thought of it? I agree that people who come here from other countries should learn the English language--my husband did, and he is now a BILINGUAL American citizen. He has done everything that our first immigrants did--come to America for a better life, learn the English language, and work hard. I also agree that children should learn the basics first, but does anyone realize that caucasian students are just as bad off in many academic areas as Hispanic students? Has anyone looked at how the 5th grade Dual Language students are doing academically? Or how hard the teachers who teach the program have worked to know the materials in both English and Spanish because they want the students (and the program) to succeed? These teachers don't get paid much more for all the extra work, and they also incorporate ESL/ELA lessons as well. I honestly couldn't read the entire article because not all of the information was complete--no offense to the Emporia Gazette. However, if being bilingual opens more job opportunities for me, I am willing to go in that direction. As an adult, it is much harder to learn a second language. As a middle school student, it takes longer to attain a second language. "Emporia" knows what they are talking about--the research shows that kindergarten students are sponges--they absorb EVERYTHING, including what they see on TV and hear from their parents. Are we looking at how awful a second language is for these kids, or what can make them more successful and advantagous?
May 30, 2007 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
"Heim said that recruiting qualified teachers lies at the crux of the program. Dual-language teachers need to have elementary endorsements. Most Spanish teachers have endorsements for teaching at secondary level."
**********************************
Uh, it wasn't voted out because of lack of interest....it was voted out because of lack of teachers (dare I say because of low pay here versus elsewhere but don't know for certain).
There is either money to pay dual-language educators or there isn't.
Has nothing to do with a vote regarding school board members.
However, I HIGHLY disagree with how this was handled.
M
May 31, 2007 at 9:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Curious (anonymous) says...
The Board is presented information and then votes given that information. This 2006-2007 school year, only 4 of the 6 Dual Language teachers speak Spanish on a level fluent enough to teach the program grades effectively. The other two teachers did not know they were going to teach in the program until July/August--right before school began. They did their very best with the students--even to the point of passing the "grade" for AYP (average yearly progress) for nclb standards in the state testing this year. That was a feat considering where the students were in English skills at their levels. There is no finger pointing to be done here. Just the fact that some people think the program benefits, while other obviously don't. Just because the board voted it out shows that there were definite weaknesses, which DID lie in the teacher area---and YES, pay is an issue when you are working your tail off to get Spanish translations and the materials provided are not all in Spanish. I agree that Spanish should not be the only language. However, right now, our society shows that it is one of the most common languages used besides English. I would love to see another language dominate Spanish, aside from English. But that is not the case. Unfortunately, the Board IS the final step of making a decision. (There are still many in Emporia who would love to see the DL program come back.) There were teaching candidates who could have taken the positions needed to be filled, but they knew they could get paid more for their bilingual skills elsewhere. If those candidates had taken these jobs, the program would still be in effect.
June 3, 2007 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Somebody talk to the owner (or former owner, not sure if he still has it) of the car wash in that neighborhood (where most of the Somalis live). Ask about some things that have been going on (rapes, etc..) that don't seem to be getting reported very much.... I'm sure you can buy it pretty cheap now....
June 6, 2007 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EuthanizeEmporia (anonymous) says...
As a future educator, I may be able to shead some light on the subject of a lack of "qualified" teachers to (wo)man this program. We are told by E-State that the addition of an ESL endorsement to a degree is a ticket to anywhere. I believe the quote was "get your ESL endorsement and you can write your own ticket to where you want to go and how much you want to make."
The problem is not that there are not qualified (ESL endorsed), it is more of an issue of being able to lure teachers to Emporia. This is the same problem that plagues any business that hires professionals. Taxes are high, wages are low, real estate lacks movement.
Next time you are out and about (what I call going to Wal-Mart) try to take notice of how many young (25-35) professionals you see. These would be the people you see walking around just after 5 O'Clock still wearing slacks and skirts, fresh from the office or classroom. There really aren't any and there really won't be any until the town can give them reasons to come. i.e. jobs with benefits, affordable homes and activities besides taverns and...well taverns.
June 6, 2007 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vankamp (anonymous) says...
I live on the west side of town but have increasingly noticed that when it comes to the east side, the city fathers are not concerned. As long as it is not on the west side they are content. SHAME ON THEM!!
June 7, 2007 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imgone (anonymous) says...
All of you are just shoveling **** against the tide. Do what I did, sell out and move, let them have it. I was able to do it, I feel sorry for those of you that can't.
June 7, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4Jayhawks (anonymous) says...
Just noticed on the USD253 web site that they have apparently started the dual language program at Village school. They must have worked out the issues that caused them to stop the program at Riverside school. No other info, just a picure.
September 9, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )