Reply to Ward 6 and Miner ES: Grassroots Movement for Dual Language (Mandarin) Program

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Reply to "Ward 6 and Miner ES: Grassroots Movement for Dual Language (Mandarin) Program"

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[quote=warrenox][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think Miner could potentially be a food place for a dual language program. But I think the organizers aren't including the whole community. Not many parents from the surrounding apartment complexes where The majority of Miner parents live read DC urban mom and as a parent at Miner, I find it interesting that I'm first seeing the announcement of this meeting on this forum. The school is already becoming divisive. I think that we have to be more conscious to include the majority of parents and not a few. Why mandarin? Was there a vote from the general parent population? I don't recall getting a survey and I check books bags and talk to my child's teachers daily. [/quote]

Well said.  I'd also like to know the history of this "grass-roots" movement. [/quote]

I've had a chance to speak with the lady leading the effort for an Immersion Program at Miner.

A few things I learned:

- Mandarin is the language she would like to see; DCPS would decide what language to offer by what resources are available to them.  Spanish apparently isn't an option since they already have a few Spanish Immersion programs.

-Mandarin is a Level 5 language, which is difficult for adults, but negligible difference for kids under 13 to learn.  If you have a grasp of a Level 5 language, then it's immensely easier to learn a Level 1-4.

-Everyone involved in this grass roots are parents of child inbound to Miner.  It seems to be a learn as you go process and no one is a professional organizer.  I heard some ideas that there needs to be a reaching out of people that may not communicate by social media and the message was well received.  Gimbiya, the parent leading the discussions, has been to ANC meetings, and has put together various meetings in the community to show films and lead discussions.  I think there is a understanding that this message needs to be spread more effectively so that all community stakeholders know about this movement.

http://speakingintonguesfilm.info/

-Immersion programs have been shown to desegregate communities

http://www.nationaljournal.com/next-america/population-2043/how-a-public-chinese-immersion-school-is-desegregating-st-louis-20140909

-Miner has a student population that is less than half what the facilities can handle.  Miner currently lost their science teacher as enrollment decreased as parents have looked to put their kids in the lottery system for other schools instead of going to Miner, their local school.  Because of the facilities to handle an increase of kids that would be looking to get into a Immersion Program, Miner is a ideal fit.  This potentially could decrease the wait-list of other nearby schools like Maury.

-Immersion programs have been shown to benefit at-risk students and may possibly be the only chance these kids have at acquiring a fluency in a second language

http://www.carla.umn.edu/immersion/acie/vol2/Bridge2.2.pdf

- The belief that an immersion program is detrimental to a student's studies of reading and writing are unfounded:   "English-proficient immersion students who achieved relatively high levels of second-language proficiency also acquired higher levels of English language skills and metalinguistic awareness—that is, the ability to think about how various parts of a language function."

http://www.carla.umn.edu/immersion/documents/ImmersionResearch_TaraFortune.html

-Understanding that parents will not be able to "help" with homework, there are many resources out there to help with tutoring which would be a benefit for any student

http://paassc.com/

If nothing else, this grassroots movement is an excellent thing because it has brought a focus to Miner that has at times been lacking.

[/quote]

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