Symbiosis of Languages
“Biliteracy is the Passport to the Future”
“The language and cultural diversity presented by the students of Brownsville Independent School District are the district’s greatest assets as well as its greatest challenge. This statement presents the underlying philosophy that supports the Project SOL program. The languages and cultures that Brownsville ISD students bring from their homes are considered cherished resources to be utilized as the foundation for future learning.”
| Definition & Overview | Program Goals |
| Program Implementation | Dual Language Students |
| Program Implementation | |
Participating
Campuses:
Russell Elementary
Sharp Elementary
Skinner Elementary
Dual Language
Programs integrate language minority and
language majority students and provide
instruction in Spanish and English. Project
SOL identifies students at the end of
Pre-Kindergarten on six pilot campuses as
potential candidates for this program.
Interested students are screened and
identified for the program. The uniqueness
of this program is that students are also
tested for the gifted and talented (G/T)
program and whether they are officially
identified or not, all students in the
program will receive instruction in
interdisciplinary curriculum which is the
core curriculum for the district’s G/T
program.
•Develop
fluency and literacy in two languages:
Spanish and English
•Achieve
academic proficiency in all academic
subjects, meeting or exceeding district
guidelines.
•Acquire an
understanding and appreciation of other
cultures.
The model consists of:
•The 50/50
model: 50% of instruction in English and 50%
in Spanish.
•Reading is in
the home language.
•Math is taught
in English; Science and Social Studies are
taught in Spanish.
•There is an
identified “Language of the Day” for Daily
News, Storytime,etc.
Brain research states that the human brain is born with over a trillion connections and that the school age brain almost “ glows” with energy consumption (Jensen, 1998). Early age is a crucial time because the brain learns fastest and easiest during the early school years (ages 3-7). The enrichment of neurons at this early age is essential to the foundation of learning. With each passing year the loss of cells makes the acquisition of a second language more difficult.
•Achieve as
well or better in English and Spanish
Language Arts;
•Become
biliterate;
•Achieve
greater over-all proficiency in
pronunciation and language skills in the
second language (English or Spanish);
•Generally,
achieve higher scores in reading in either
language;
•Perform as
well or better in other subjects;
•Are shown to
be more creative thinkers; and
•Have better
developed verbal skills.