What if our Dual Language Program is Not Working?
We know that, according to national research, a well-executed Dual Language program results in better performance for Emergent Bilinguals than any other form of support. However, Thomas & Collier (2004-2012) share a “warning graph” that demonstrates that calling a program “Dual Language” is not sufficient to get the results we intend for our students. In…
Keep readingWhat 9-11 Taught Me About Sociocultural Competence
September 11th, 2001 evokes memories for anyone who was in the United States on that date and is today, 18 years or older. We all remember where we were and what we were doing. The date marks the first time since Pearl Harbor that our country had been attacked, and it was a definite blow…
Keep readingBeing a Monolingual Administrator for a Dual Language Program
As this new school year begins, district and school administrators are filled with the typical excitement and anticipation, but additionally, perhaps a novel sense of anxiety. This anxiety may stem from the fact that the start of this school year is characterized nationwide by a record number of teacher vacancies. Perhaps it comes from the…
Keep readingIt’s Independence Day!
The fireworks have been lit. Picnics have been had. Another July 4th – Independence Day – has come and gone. Nevertheless, as a response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there had been a lot of debate amongst those on social media as to whether or not to even celebrate Independence Day. I chose…
Keep readingThe Dual Language Lottery System and The Myth of Meritocracy and Fairness
During the last few months, we have been focused on the different types of microaggressions. We have talked about treating Asian Americans as aliens in their own land and the harm of denying one’s own biases. But perhaps a quieter, more pernicious microaggression that exists within our Dual Education world is the myth of meritocracy…
Keep readingCivil Rights and Asian Americans
Often times, when people think of minorities, Asian Americans are left off the list due to the model minority myth. The model minority myth suggests that Asian Americans, due to their own efforts, have been able to overcome barriers as immigrants due to their bootstrapping efforts and hard work. Therefore, they have become inordinately successful. …
Keep reading