Bilingual Education
Bilingual Education: Benefits for Your Child!
What is the purpose of Bilingual Education?
- Help students with limited English proficiency (LEP) to master the
state curriculum.
- Teach English to all students in the program.
Who does the Bilingual Education Program serve?
- Children who have a language other than English in their homes
and need help learning English.
How will the Bilingual Education Program help my child? The bilingual program:
- Provides access to the state curriculum.
- Teaches English to LEP students using appropriate methods
- Helps build knowledge and learning of academic subjects in the first
language and in English.
- Instills in children a positive identity, pride in their cultural
heritage, self-assurance and confidence.
How can I become involved in the Bilingual Education Program?
- Your approval is required to allow your child to participate and benefit
in the program.
- You can become a volunteer and help in classroom activities.
- You can become involved at home by encouraging your child to
achieve, providing him a place to study and showing interest in his
schoolwork.
- You can participate as a member of the Language Proficiency
Assessment Committee (LPAC) that helps determine how students will
be taught.
Will my child be taught the same subjects and learn the same skills as students in the general education program?
- YES! All students in Bilingual Education must receive instruction
in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in their native
language and English.
- YES! Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social
Studies are taught as part of the state mandated curriculum.
- YES! Music, P.E., and Art are also part of a balanced curriculum.
Will my child learn English?
- YES! The mastery of English listening, reading, and writing skills
is required in the program
- YES! ESL instruction is an integral part of the bilingual education
program.
- YES! Academic instruction begins in the student's first language and
transitions to English.