Warsaw Community School’s 2nd-6th grade students in the Spanish Dual Language Immersion program (DLI) recently completed the STAMP assessment as a measure of their proficiency in the Spanish language. The STAMP assessment measures the students’ proficiency in all four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. WCS is pleased to report that students are currently outperforming national norms and exceeding benchmark expectations.
Since entering Kindergarten, these students have been immersed in academic Spanish for half of the day and academic English for half of the day. The goal of the DLI program is to create students who are bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural while maintaining high academic standards for success.
Next year, the DLI program plans to expand to 5th grade at Leesburg; Lakeview Middle School will also receive its first DLI students as Eisenhower’s current 6th grade students continue to 7th grade.
Middle school DLI students will take a full-year of DLI Spanish, which is a high school level course to prepare for the Spanish AP exam in 9th grade. They will also take a half-year Culture, History and Media course, which will be heavily focused on writing, literature and presentation skills.
The district is committed to the success of the K-12 DLI program and values the opportunities that it provides for students. “I want to thank all of the teachers, parents, students and administrators who helped WCS pioneer dual language instruction in this district. The data that our students are producing is a testament to the hard work that everyone has put into this innovative program!” shared Dr. Dani Barkey, Deputy Superintendent for Warsaw Schools.
Great things are ahead for the Dual Language Immersion students! Kindergarten enrollment is now open (through June 1). As the program continues to expand, so do employment opportunities. There is an immediate opening for a Spanish teacher at Leesburg Elementary. Proficient Spanish speakers are also needed as substitute teachers.
To learn more, visit: https://www.warsaw.k12.in.us/page/dual-language-immersion
Photo Provided: Victoria Adame, 2nd Grade DLI student