Subject: Proposal for Expanding Dual Language Education in Georgetown ISD

Dear Superintendent and School Board Members,

  Firstly, I want to express my gratitude for your ongoing commitment to the students of Georgetown ISD. As a parent of a dual language student, I deeply appreciate the efforts made to provide quality education in our district.

  I am writing to propose the expansion of the dual language program beyond the 5th grade. Currently, our dual language students have the opportunity to take a Language Other Than English (LOTE) class in Spanish during middle school. However, adding one content area teacher (such as math in Spanish) could significantly enhance this program. Not only would this align with the Texas Education Agency’s criteria for a full dual language program, bringing an additional $308 per student, but it would also support exponential academic gains as evidenced by numerous studies.

  A phased approach could be effective for this expansion. I suggest starting with the 6th grade in the 2024-2025 school year and then adding one grade each subsequent year. Many parents, including myself, are open to sending our children to schools outside our zoned areas to benefit from this enriched educational experience.

  The team at hasta12.com conducted a survey revealing overwhelming parental support for this idea. However, the last official GISD survey on this topic was conducted back in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge you to conduct a new survey to gauge current community interest and to educate parents about the academic benefits of expansion detailed on the hasta12 website.

  I recognize that recruiting qualified teachers is a challenge, especially since GISD does not currently hire internationally. Many neighboring districts have found success with international hires. As our program matures and extends to 12th grade, we anticipate that some of our graduates might return as educators, potentially reducing the need for international recruitment in the future.

  I am aware of the challenges posed by Georgetown’s cost of living, limited legislative funding, and the broader context of the Texas Teacher Exodus. Despite these hurdles, it is important to communicate the desires and expectations of our community for our children’s education.

  Thank you for considering this proposal. I, along with many other parents, am eager to see our children benefit from a more comprehensive dual language program in Georgetown ISD.

Respectfully, [Your Name]

Subject: Support for Expanding the Dual Language Program Beyond 5th Grade

Dear Georgetown ISD Dual Language Department,

  Firstly, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your dedication to our students. As a parent of a dual language student, I am continually impressed by the quality of education and support provided by the department.

  I am writing to advocate for the expansion of the full dual language program beyond 5th grade. Introducing content-area secondary teachers who can instruct in Spanish would be a transformative step for our students, enriching their educational experience significantly.

  A phased approach to this expansion could be highly effective. I propose initiating full dual language instruction in 6th grade starting in the 2024-2025 school year, followed by the addition of subsequent grades each year. Many parents, including myself, are open to sending our children to non-zoned schools to participate in this program.

  The team at hasta12.com conducted a survey revealing overwhelming parental support for this idea. However, the last official GISD survey on this topic was conducted back in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge you to conduct a new survey to gauge current community interest and to educate parents about the academic benefits of expansion detailed on the hasta12 website.

  I recognize the challenges in recruiting qualified bilingual teachers, especially given that GISD does not hire internationally. Exploring international hiring, as done by neighboring districts, could be a viable solution to this challenge. Additionally, as our dual language program extends to 12th grade, we might see our own graduates returning as educators, potentially easing the reliance on international recruitment.

  I am aware of the broader challenges, including Georgetown’s cost of living, limited legislative funding, and the Texas Teacher Exodus. Despite these, it is crucial to communicate our community’s aspirations for our children’s education.

  Thank you for considering this proposal. Your support in expanding the dual language program would be invaluable in shaping the future of our students’ education.

Respectfully, [Your Name]

By filling out this form in English or this form in Spanish, you’ll indicate your support for the expansion of dual language beyond 5th grade in Georgetown ISD. This information will be vital in showing the school district and school board who we are and what we want. We need at least 10 native-Spanish speaking families and 10 native-English speaking families to sign up to rationalize the creation of the first cohort. (update: we are up to 70 now– more than enough for a cohort!)

Talk with other parents, students, teachers, administrators, and the school board. Most will not be aware of the amazing benefits of expanding the dual language program beyond 5th grade. Ask teachers what support they need so that we can strengthen our existing pre-K to 5 program.

Join the Facebook group to connect with other parents with children in the dual language program.