CPS to Expand Dual Language Programming to Eight Additional Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 28, 2018

CHICAGO - Mayor Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools announced today that eight additional schools will offer Dual Language programming beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, providing more students with access to comprehensive programming to develop strong proficiency in both English and Spanish. Next fall, Dual Language programming will serve a total of 35 schools throughout the city – more than twice the number of schools served in 2016.

“Chicago finds strength in its diversity, and our students are learning early on the value of connecting with each other on a multilingual level,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Dual Language programming encourages and empowers our multicultural learners, and prepares students with the resources necessary for future success in an increasingly global world.”

The expansion of Dual Language programming throughout the district will help more students grow their literacy skills and fluency in both English and Spanish – allowing schools to develop bilingualism, biliteracy and a shared cultural understanding among English learners and native speakers. Dual Language programs integrate both English and Spanish into core instruction to provide immersion into both languages. To support students in their non-native languages, students receive language development instruction in the language they are learning.

"The strength of our district lies in its diversity and the rich educational environments created when students from a variety of backgrounds learn together and develop a shared cultural understanding,” said CPS CEO Dr. Janice K. Jackson. “We’re expanding Dual Language programming to serve more children, schools and neighborhoods because we know that multilingualism is a true asset that will open doors for our students.”

CPS has invested in a significant expansion of Dual Language programming, and the eight additional Dual Language schools will build on the success of the district’s 27 current programs. The following schools applied during the 2017-18 school year and have been selected to begin Dual Language programming next school year:

• Alfred Nobel Elementary School
• Dr. Jorge Prieto Elementary School
• Frederick Funston Elementary School
• George Rogers Clark Elementary School
• Grover Cleveland Elementary School
• Socorro Sandoval Elementary School
• William G. Hibbard Elementary School
• William P. Nixon Elementary School

The eight schools were selected after an application process and site visits from CPS Office of Language and Cultural Education (OLCE) staff, current Dual Language principals and current Dual Language coordinators to ensure each school would be able to effectively support high quality Dual Language programming after the initial planning year. Programs begin in either PreK or kindergarten, and accept native English-speaking students and native Spanish-speaking students.

CPS supports the unique needs of Dual Language schools by providing professional development to school staff and a part-time Dual Language Coordinator to manage each school’s program. Funding for the program is provided through Title III funds, which is federal funding to support English language learners.

Earlier this fall, CPS launched an RFP process to empower schools from throughout the district to apply for high-quality academic programs, including Dual Language. The application process will conclude this spring when CPS expects to announce an additional set of Dual Language schools that will begin offering programming in the 2020-2021 school year.

Chicago Public Schools serves 361,000 students in 644 schools. It is the nation’s third-largest school district.

# # #