Edwards Elementary School principal Sue Luthra learned that the school would receive a $120,000 grant to develop the Dual Language/Two-Way Bilingual program. The program, in its first year, features an English//Spanish kindergarten class. The intention is to add an additional grade level each year until it becomes a K-12 program across the school district.

Grant funds will provide professional development for teachers, classroom materials and support a design team that will develop the K-12 program.

Reviewers commented that the proposed program will “provide the state with an excellent model for future replication.”

Currently, 52 students are enrolled in two Dual Language kindergarten classes. Half are native Spanish speakers, half are English speakers. Instruction in literacy, social studies, science and math is in English or Spanish, while daily directions to students alternates between English and Spanish.