Sarah Colleen Wright, Magnolia ISD’s executive director of teaching and learning, provided a brief update on the district's emergent bilingual program. The board also approved a plan to begin selling a small plot of unused land near Grand Pines Road.
The gist
As part of the language program, Magnolia ISD offers a one-way dual language program for Pre-K-3rd grade and English as a Second Language (ESL) for emergent bilinguals.
The one-way dual language program is designed to support students with limited English proficiency; learning is integrated in both English and Spanish to foster understanding in both languages.
The end goal of the ESL model, according to the district's website, is to “develop students’ proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English so they can participate fully and equitably in school.”
Wright said that MISD currently has over 2,500 emergent bilingual students.
This year MISD has had 173 students “reclassify,” meaning they met the necessary language standards and exited the program. There are currently over 1,700 students working toward reclassification. Wright said MISD is taking steps to retain and recruit bilingual teachers within the district.
On the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) reading exam, 73% of elementary emergent bilinguals achieved Approaches Grade Level or higher. Those rates were 56% at intermediate schools, 64% at junior high schools and 52% at high schools.
One more thing
The MISD board of trustees also voted to approve the process of advertising 1.853 acres near Grand Pines Road for sale. The tract of land was originally acquired for district facilities but went unused during construction.
