Thursday, July 22, 2021
Holly Lawson
Deputy Director of Communications
(317) 232-0536
hlawson2@doe.in.gov
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today announced that a record number of schools statewide will be receiving grants to establish or expand dual language immersion programs as part of Indiana’s Dual Language Immersion Program. The program provides grants to school corporations that establish or expand dual language immersion programs in Mandarin, Spanish, French, or other languages approved by IDOE.
“Dual immersion programs provide Hoosier students with a head start on developing important language and cultural knowledge that will help them thrive in today’s rapidly changing, global economy,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Research shows when students begin these programs at an early age, they develop enhanced cognitive skills and also improve their performance in other academic areas, helping close achievement gaps and prepare students for additional pathways to lifelong success.”
For the 2021-2022 school year, 18 school districts were together awarded $425,000. This includes 15 school districts receiving funds to expand their programs, and three districts receiving funds to launch new programs:
New Programs:
- Franklin Township Community School Corporation
- Manchester Community Schools
- Goshen Community Schools
Expanding Programs:
- Lawrenceburg Community School Corporation
- MSD Lawrence Township
- South Bend Community School Corporation
- School City of Hammond
- Muncie Community Schools
- MSD Washington Township
- Warsaw Community Schools
- Logansport Community School Corporation
- Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation
- MSD Martinsville Schools
- Wabash City Schools
- Southwest Dubois County School Corporation
- Monroe County Community School Corporation
- MSD Warren Township
- Valparaiso Community Schools
Created in 2015 by Senate Enrolled Act 267, Indiana’s dual language immersion program provides grants to schools to either establish new dual language programs or introduce new languages into existing programs. Those programs must begin in either kindergarten or first grade and use an instructional model that provides at least 50% of its instruction in a target language and the remaining percentage of instructional time in English.
Research shows that students enrolled in dual language programs gain a higher proficiency in schools’ core curriculum and develop stronger skills in native and second languages than students in traditional programs. These programs also help close achievement gaps for English language learners and students from diverse backgrounds.