Meet Parental Demand

Parental demand for dual language programs in DC far exceeds the supply of these programs. The 2017-18 waitlist results published by DC Public Charter School Board show that out of the six elementary schools with the longest waitlist, five are dual language schools, with Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS leading the pack with 1,600 children on the waitlist. [The numbers for DC Public Schools are harder to interpret but show a somewhat similar trend.]

This means best case scenario 1600, worst case scenario 10,000 frustrated families. While we do not know how these families are spread across the District (see our research on demand for dual language programs) and are working to increase access to information and research about these programs by communities across the District, we do know that:

 

FACTS 

There are many reason DC parents value dual language programs. The reasons that are given to us in surveys revolve around greater opportunity and empathy for other cultures. By meeting DC parents’ demand for dual language programs, the District would end up with a better prepared workforce, more empathetic communities and less frustrated residents. What’s not to love?

The Economic Imperative of Bilingual Education

The Economic Imperative of Bilingual Education

The Atlantic explores why states are aggressively pushing for immersion programs. "The jobs expected to grow most in the next 10 years are heavily related to languages—hospitality, tourism, marketing, and healthcare,” DC Immersion is quoted as saying “There needs to...

Systemic Expansion of Immersion Programs

Systemic Expansion of Immersion Programs

Current immersion programs are in overwhelming demand, touch only 1/3 of English Language Learners and are not accessible to most Ward 7 and 8 families.  Let's go one step further in making every DC school great by expanding immersion programs throughout the District....

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

  Do you share the vision and mission of DC Language Immersion Project?  Join our grassroots group by signing up here! A pop up will appear. Spread the word among your personal network – including family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers!  

Skylar wants to speak to her friends

Skylar wants to speak to her friends

DC Student's Perspective Skylar, an English native speaker third grader in one of DC's existing dual language immersion programs reminded us that students too must have a voice in this conversation. In an increasingly linguistically diverse city, children want to be...

A Letter to Our Community

Dear Friends,The sad news is that DC Immersion is closing. The good news is that, together, we have built a network of support for equitable access to multilingual education in DC that transcends a specific organization. Thank you for advocating, learning, and...

These Friends Rock Dual Language – Follow Them!

There is a world of dual language knowledge in DC and beyond. Many of these educators, parents and organizations' passion for dual language predates DC Immersion, many of them have grown with us. We hope you can draw inspiration from these friends and walk with them...

Statement on DC Immersion’s Dissolution

Dear Families, educators, and partners, It is with great disappointment that we share with you that the DC Language Immersion Project (DC Immersion) is dissolving as a 501c3 organization due to a lack of resources after six years of tireless advocacy for multilingual...

What I Have Learned From Suppressing My Bilingualism

By: Thi Nguyen “Hey, can I talk to you?”, said Mr. Kim, my PE teacher, as he pulled me to the side of the soccer field. “I saw that you were talking to other Vietnamese students, and I want to remind you that it’s very important to speak English all the time in...

Julio Argueta Shares His Experience as a Multilingual Ambassador

For the last nine months, DC Immersion was joined by our Multilingual Ambassadors, eight seniors from the International Academy of Roosevelt High School DCPS. These students created outreach strategies to increase attendance to our Multilingual Education Fair of DC....

Open Letter to DCPS Chancellor on Houston Elementary

Dear Chancellor, Houston Elementary led the way in being the very first dual language program East of the River. DCPS listened to the wishes of the Deanwood community and in 2016 Houston Elementary enrolled an inaugural PK3 class of 30 students who would go onto...

Third Dual Language Program East of the River!

We are delighted to announce a third dual language program will open its doors East of the River in school year 2021-22. Last month, the DC Public Charter School Board moved to grant preliminary approval to Global Citizens Public Charter School to offer a dual...

%d bloggers like this: