Save PGCPS Language Immersion Programs
Save PGCPS Language Immersion Programs
The Issue
We, the undersigned, are concerned parents, educators, students, and community members in Prince George's County. We urge the Board of Education to reconsider the decision to phase out the entire Immersion Program at Largo High School for French, Spanish, and Chinese. If this proposal moves forward, no new incoming students will be accepted into the Language Immersion High School program next school year.
Background:
On January 23, 2026, we received notification that the Chinese Immersion program will be shut down, transitioning the Elementary School Immersion Program to a basic language class model with ~10 times fewer language hours, and eliminating Middle and High School Chinese Immersion. This decision impacts not just the Chinese Immersion program but threatens all language immersion programs in our school district, as Spanish and French High School Immersion programs are also being shut down. Such a significant change has been proposed without any community input or consultation, disregarding the views and concerns of parents, teachers, and students, and with no clear justification provided for the cuts.
We are currently evaluating the validity of the proposed budget, which did not adhere to the legally required timeline and procedures. As a result, it has been pushed onto a shorter timeline. The PGCPS proposed budget for FY 2027 has several concerning allocations, such as over $4 million for AI-based surveillance, and an increase of more than $20 million in salaries for high and mid-level administration, while making $12 million in direct cuts to academic programs. This budget threatens to undermine nearly 15 years of investment in the Chinese and Spanish Immersion programs (with Chinese STEM starting in 2012 and both language immersion programs beginning in 2014) as well as over 40 years of investment in the French Immersion program, which has been in place since 1985.
PGCPS Language Immersion Programs:
- French Immersion- Dora Kennedy (K-8), Maya Angelou (K-8), Largo High School (9-12 Being eliminated)
- Spanish Immersion- Cesar Chavez Dual Spanish Immersion School (K-5), Cool Spring Elementary School (K-5), Overlook Full Spanish Immersion School (K-5), Phyllis E. Williams Spanish Immersion School (K-5), Capitol Heights Elementary School (Spanish) (K-5 Being eliminated), Kettering Middle School (6-8), Largo High School (9-12 Being eliminated)
- Chinese Immersion (Entire program being eliminated)- Paint Branch Elementary School (K-5), Greenbelt Middle School (6-8), Largo High School (9-12)
Reasons for Our Concern:
1. Loss of Educational Opportunities:
Immersion programs offer students vital language skills, cultural understanding, and academic excellence. Access to immersion language programs during K-12 education significantly enhances students' language proficiency, enabling them to communicate more fluently and adopt a native-like accent. Eliminating these programs jeopardizes over 40 years of investment in language education and hinders our students' academic progress.
2. Insufficient Community Consultation:
The proposed budget changes that include the shutdown of these programs were made without input from parents and educators, violating our trust and the collaborative spirit of our school community.
3. Budget Misallocation:
The proposed FY 2027 budget indicates cuts to essential academic programs, while allocating over $4 million to AI-based surveillance and increasing administrative salaries by more than $20 million. This misalignment of priorities is a disservice to our students’ education.
4. Proven Success of Immersion Programs:
Research shows that immersion students consistently outperform their peers on standardized tests, such as MCAP. They also excel in international and domestic proficiency assessments, including DELF, DELE, CCCC, TOCFL, and STAMP, and aim for prestigious achievements like the Maryland State Seal of Biliteracy, Interpreter certification, and internationally recognized diplomas.
5. Economic Opportunities:
An immersive K-12 education enriches students' formative years and lays a foundation for college acceptance and increased earning potential. As a suburb of the nation’s capital, we have a unique opportunity to nurture multilingual learners for high-demand roles in global corporations and non-profits, federal and military agencies, think tanks and research institutes, government contracts, and entrepreneurial ventures. Language proficiency is essential in these fields, with organizations like the National Security Agency valuing linguists and interpreters. Bilingual candidates are increasingly sought after in the job market, often commanding higher salaries. By prioritizing multilingual education, we are empowering our students and enhancing our community's potential for a brighter future.
Our Requests:
- We call on the PGCPS Board of Education to reverse the decision to eliminate language immersion programs.
- We ask for a formal consultation process involving parents, educators, and community stakeholders to discuss the future of language programs in PGCPS and find solutions for sustainable program continuation.
- We urge the Board to prioritize education funding in a manner that supports language immersion and ensures that each unique program receives equitable opportunities for success and that information regarding program availability and success is effectively promoted and advertised to the community.
Conclusion:
Every child deserves access to a high-quality education that includes opportunities for language immersion. Our community's future depends on the educational choices we make today. We must stand together to save these valuable programs.
In addition to signing the petition, please email or call your elected officials to state your support for the Language Immersion Programs in PG County. We have provided a list of contacts to reach out to.
Thank you for your support in preserving the language immersion opportunities for our students!
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact us at: PaintBranchPTA@gmail.com
Additional Resources:
Contacts of officials and representatives for the petition
About Immersion Programs (PGCPS)
The Impact of the French Immersion Program on Achievement and College Readiness
How Language Immersion Positively Impacts Young Brains
Maryland State Seal of Biliteracy
Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers
1,755
The Issue
We, the undersigned, are concerned parents, educators, students, and community members in Prince George's County. We urge the Board of Education to reconsider the decision to phase out the entire Immersion Program at Largo High School for French, Spanish, and Chinese. If this proposal moves forward, no new incoming students will be accepted into the Language Immersion High School program next school year.
Background:
On January 23, 2026, we received notification that the Chinese Immersion program will be shut down, transitioning the Elementary School Immersion Program to a basic language class model with ~10 times fewer language hours, and eliminating Middle and High School Chinese Immersion. This decision impacts not just the Chinese Immersion program but threatens all language immersion programs in our school district, as Spanish and French High School Immersion programs are also being shut down. Such a significant change has been proposed without any community input or consultation, disregarding the views and concerns of parents, teachers, and students, and with no clear justification provided for the cuts.
We are currently evaluating the validity of the proposed budget, which did not adhere to the legally required timeline and procedures. As a result, it has been pushed onto a shorter timeline. The PGCPS proposed budget for FY 2027 has several concerning allocations, such as over $4 million for AI-based surveillance, and an increase of more than $20 million in salaries for high and mid-level administration, while making $12 million in direct cuts to academic programs. This budget threatens to undermine nearly 15 years of investment in the Chinese and Spanish Immersion programs (with Chinese STEM starting in 2012 and both language immersion programs beginning in 2014) as well as over 40 years of investment in the French Immersion program, which has been in place since 1985.
PGCPS Language Immersion Programs:
- French Immersion- Dora Kennedy (K-8), Maya Angelou (K-8), Largo High School (9-12 Being eliminated)
- Spanish Immersion- Cesar Chavez Dual Spanish Immersion School (K-5), Cool Spring Elementary School (K-5), Overlook Full Spanish Immersion School (K-5), Phyllis E. Williams Spanish Immersion School (K-5), Capitol Heights Elementary School (Spanish) (K-5 Being eliminated), Kettering Middle School (6-8), Largo High School (9-12 Being eliminated)
- Chinese Immersion (Entire program being eliminated)- Paint Branch Elementary School (K-5), Greenbelt Middle School (6-8), Largo High School (9-12)
Reasons for Our Concern:
1. Loss of Educational Opportunities:
Immersion programs offer students vital language skills, cultural understanding, and academic excellence. Access to immersion language programs during K-12 education significantly enhances students' language proficiency, enabling them to communicate more fluently and adopt a native-like accent. Eliminating these programs jeopardizes over 40 years of investment in language education and hinders our students' academic progress.
2. Insufficient Community Consultation:
The proposed budget changes that include the shutdown of these programs were made without input from parents and educators, violating our trust and the collaborative spirit of our school community.
3. Budget Misallocation:
The proposed FY 2027 budget indicates cuts to essential academic programs, while allocating over $4 million to AI-based surveillance and increasing administrative salaries by more than $20 million. This misalignment of priorities is a disservice to our students’ education.
4. Proven Success of Immersion Programs:
Research shows that immersion students consistently outperform their peers on standardized tests, such as MCAP. They also excel in international and domestic proficiency assessments, including DELF, DELE, CCCC, TOCFL, and STAMP, and aim for prestigious achievements like the Maryland State Seal of Biliteracy, Interpreter certification, and internationally recognized diplomas.
5. Economic Opportunities:
An immersive K-12 education enriches students' formative years and lays a foundation for college acceptance and increased earning potential. As a suburb of the nation’s capital, we have a unique opportunity to nurture multilingual learners for high-demand roles in global corporations and non-profits, federal and military agencies, think tanks and research institutes, government contracts, and entrepreneurial ventures. Language proficiency is essential in these fields, with organizations like the National Security Agency valuing linguists and interpreters. Bilingual candidates are increasingly sought after in the job market, often commanding higher salaries. By prioritizing multilingual education, we are empowering our students and enhancing our community's potential for a brighter future.
Our Requests:
- We call on the PGCPS Board of Education to reverse the decision to eliminate language immersion programs.
- We ask for a formal consultation process involving parents, educators, and community stakeholders to discuss the future of language programs in PGCPS and find solutions for sustainable program continuation.
- We urge the Board to prioritize education funding in a manner that supports language immersion and ensures that each unique program receives equitable opportunities for success and that information regarding program availability and success is effectively promoted and advertised to the community.
Conclusion:
Every child deserves access to a high-quality education that includes opportunities for language immersion. Our community's future depends on the educational choices we make today. We must stand together to save these valuable programs.
In addition to signing the petition, please email or call your elected officials to state your support for the Language Immersion Programs in PG County. We have provided a list of contacts to reach out to.
Thank you for your support in preserving the language immersion opportunities for our students!
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact us at: PaintBranchPTA@gmail.com
Additional Resources:
Contacts of officials and representatives for the petition
About Immersion Programs (PGCPS)
The Impact of the French Immersion Program on Achievement and College Readiness
How Language Immersion Positively Impacts Young Brains
Maryland State Seal of Biliteracy
Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers
1,755
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
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Petition created on February 8, 2026