FAQs

Program Enrollment

What are the program participation requirements?

Your child will qualify to participate in the program if he/she is enrolled to attend Pre-Kinder or Kindergarten at school (s) offering Two- Way Dual Language and meets the following criteria:

Students whose primary/first language is Spanish per home language survey completed when first enrolled in school.
Students who qualify as Emergent Bilingual per language proficiency test taken when first enrolled in school.
Students whose primary/first language is English and who commit to program participation requirements.
Priority will be given to students residing in the Two- Way Dual Language Campus attendance zone.

*Additionally, a minimum 5-year program participation commitment is required. Students who withdraw from the program will not be readmitted and will lose their seats.

Is Spanish proficiency required for English-speaking students?

Spanish proficiency is NOT required to enroll in the program.

Where will the Dual Language Immersion/Two Way program be offered 2025-2026

The Dual Language Immersion/Two Way program will be offered at Stults Road Elementary in grades PK-2nd.

How many seats will there be available and how will they be assigned?

There will be 18 seats in PreK open for Spanish Speakers and 18 seats in PreK open for English Speakers. Kindergarten and 1st grade will have limited seats because most students currently enrolled will continue the program in the next school year. The class size for grades K – 2 will be 22 students. Seats will be assigned via lottery.

How will I know if my child has been accepted into the program?

Families will be notified by Bilingual Education Programs staff via email.

Will transportation services be provided?

Transportation services will not be provided for families opting into the program who reside outside the school’s attendance zone.

Information Sessions

Are the Information Meetings required?

Information meetings are strongly recommended for families interested in Dual Language Two-Way. During these meetings, families will receive important information about our philosophy for bilingual education, program design, state testing, and expectations. In addition to the information, the meetings are a great way to meet other parents whose children might be eligible to participate in the program.

Program Information

What is a Two-Way Dual Language Program?

Distinct from One-Way Dual Language, students in the Two-Way Dual Language program are composed of an equal number of native speakers of Spanish and native speakers of English. Both student groups have the opportunity to become biliterate, bilingual, and bicultural scholars. Instruction is provided in English and Spanish, and language learning is integrated with content instruction as they progress through elementary years. It is important to note that in order to offer a full-immersion experience, English speaking students will receive literacy instruction in Spanish in the early elementary grades. A commitment of at least five years is required for students and families who take part in this innovative language-acquisition program.

Instructional Components

What curriculum expectations are in place to guarantee that students become equally proficient in reading/writing in both languages?

Our dual language program is designed to ensure that students achieve proficiency in reading and writing in both Spanish and English, regardless of the language in which they initially learn to read and write. Our curriculum is carefully structured to provide balanced instruction in both languages, with a focus on literacy development in Spanish from the early grades. This provides both student groups a jump start.

Students in our program receive explicit instruction in phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills in both languages through a graduated biliteracy model. Our curriculum is aligned with state standards and incorporates research-based practices to support language development and academic achievement in both languages.

Throughout their time in the program, students receive ongoing assessments and support to monitor their progress and address any areas of need. Our goal is to ensure that all students in our dual language program develop strong literacy skills in both Spanish and English, allowing them to become proficient readers and writers in both languages.

Parent/Family Support

Are parents/grandparents able to volunteer?

Yes, of course. Parents and grandparents are welcome to volunteer. There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer. If you are interested in becoming an RISD volunteer, please sign up through Verkada. All volunteers must complete a background check. Please do not go to a school unless you have received a confirmation message from the campus or another RISD representative.

What if I don’t speak Spanish, how do I support my child at home?

As part of our commitment to supporting all families in our dual language program, we provide resources and guidance to English-speaking parents to help them support their students at home. Some of the supports include:

Two-Way Dual Language Family Playdates:
- Parent workshops – We offer workshops and informational sessions specifically designed for all parents to learn more about the program, strategies for supporting language development at home, and ways to reinforce learning in both English and Spanish.
Home practice materials: We provide parents with resources and materials that they can use at home to reinforce language skills in both English and Spanish. These materials may include bilingual books, language games, and activities that promote language development. We also give you a list of online applications and resources that can be used at home.
- Communication channels: We maintain open communication channels with parents, providing regular updates on your child’s progress in the dual language program and offering guidance on how parents can support your child’s learning at home. Teachers utilize talking points to keep you informed.
Our goal is to empower all parents, regardless of their language background, to actively engage in their child’s education and support their success in our dual language program.

August 29 Meeting - FAQ

As the year progresses, how is instruction differentiated to meet the needs of students that are advancing more quickly or may need more help? Will there be reading or writing groups?

Instruction is differentiated based on individual student data and is reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Reading and writing groups are embedded in the Amplify lessons based on projects and objectives.

Looking ahead- in upper grades, will students take the STARR test in English, Spanish, both?

Students will have the option to test in either language. The campus LPAC will determine the language of assessment. The individual student language proficiency, mastery of TEKS, and teacher recommendations will be used to determine the language of assessment.

Are there any on line programs available to help provide enrichment at home?