Thank you everyone for your support by signing and sharing this petition! I have been in communication with directors, coordinators, and parents from DSISD as well as other districts in our area that offer 2-way dual language or immersion programs and here is what I have learned: 

DSISD Info: 

• DSISD currently feels that their focus should be on building a solid foundation for their 1-way dual language program. Implementation of a 2-way program is in DSISD's future, but there is no real timeline for it. 
• Since the current DSISD 1-way dual language program is for native Spanish speakers it does get it's own type of state funding. These funds would most likely not be able to carry over to a 2-way program since the 2-way program would be for native English speakers. 
• DSISD currently only offers their 1-way dual language program at Dripping Springs Elementary and they have been adding 1 grade level per year with the addition of 5th grade happening next year. 

Info from other districts: 

• Majority of the rest of the Austin area districts operate both 1-way and 2-way dual language programs at multiple elementary schools. These programs combine native English and Spanish speakers in a dual language classroom where they are taught some subjects in English and others in Spanish.
• Eanes ISD did not have a large enough Spanish speaking population to support a dual language program so they instead created their own Immersion Program for English speakers. 
• Eanes ISD started as a pilot in 2 elementary schools and due to demand has now expanded to 4 elementary schools with plans of extending to middle school. 
• Students who stay in the Eanes immersion program will graduate elementary school with a Spanish 1 high school credit, middle school with Spanish 2 & 3 credit, and then be able to test for AP Spanish 4 in their Freshman year of high school. This will allow students to possibly explore a 3rd language for the remainder of high school. 
• Tax dollars follow students so if a student chooses to transfer to a school with a Spanish program the dollars that aren't recaptured (depending on if you are a recapture district which DSISD is) go with the student to whichever other ISD they choose to transfer to. 
• Spanish Immersion and 2-Way dual language programs also attract transfers so they could bring tax funds into the district that would normally go elsewhere. 

Next Steps/Outstanding Questions: 

• We need to find school board representatives that would support a 2-way dual language or immersion program.
• We need as much support and signatures as possible. (Eanes had over 600 signatures and 100's of parents at their school board meeting in support of their program)
• We need to find out how much it would cost to expand from a 1-way dual language program to a 2-way dual language program. How much would it be to do a trial year? 
• How many students are currently enrolled in the DSISD 1-way dual language program? How many classes are there per grade? Could another class be easily added with half English speakers? How much more staff would this require? 
• What funding (if any) is available for these types of programs? Is there a way to fundraise for this type of program? 
• Once we have enough support we will need to get on the School Board Meeting Agenda and attend a meeting to voice our support of this type of program. 

I have created a facebook group for future updates, any questions, and to share any information/contacts that people feel are helpful: https://www.facebook.com/groups/949049292439758/

Thanks, 

Kyrsten Vasquez