Over 70 languages are represented among the approximately 3,700 students who are classified as emergent bilingual in the 2024-25 school year, said Alexis King, PISD’s director of language programs. Emergent bilingual refers to students who are not fluent in English and are learning the language while still developing their first language.
“As the district has continued to be one of the fastest-growing districts in the state, PISD has also seen a significant increase in language diversity over the past five years, as many of our new residents are from diverse linguistic backgrounds,” King said in an email.
Current situation
PISD has expanded its language programs to accommodate the growing diversity and meet the needs of students learning English, King said. This includes increasing bilingual dual language courses, world language programs and English as a Second Language or ESL courses.
PISD has also doubled the number of ESL specialists and paraprofessionals to keep up with the growing emergent bilingual population, King said. The district has focused its efforts on hiring ESL-certified and culturally-competent candidates when employing teachers and paraprofessionals.
The district also offers training and resources for current staff to obtain their ESL certification while at PISD, King said.
PISD offers a dual language two-way program for elementary students to learn English and Spanish skills at the same time. Students spend half of the school day learning in Spanish and the other learning in English.
The district currently has 400 students enrolled in the program.
Benefits of the program include stronger cognitive and academic skills in English, a higher likelihood of meeting graduation requirements, development of biliteracy and better access to job opportunities, King said.
