World Languages Task Force

Agenda: May 1, 2013

Mission:

The World Languages Task Force will be reviewing the current K-12 world languages program of the district with the goal of making recommendations for the future direction of the program. The task force will determine what changes, if any, need to be made to the program in order to meet the needs of the students of the Steamboat Springs School District over the next 20 years. The committee will recommend changes in both the structure and delivery of world language instruction including the possible use of online options. Changes may include the basic mission of world language instruction at each school level as well as course options for students. The committee will determine if choices for languages should be expanded and if so what those choices should be.

1. Finish and consolidate presentations

   1. Elementary (K-5)

   2. Secondary (6-12)

   3. Who will deliver?

2. What questions might we anticipate from the BOE?

3. Practice run

Grades K-5 Elementary Recommendation List

1-2 year recommendations

Strengthen the Spanish program K-5 by doing the following:

• Increasing frequency from 1-2 days/week to 3-5 days/week in grades 3-5

• Both elementary schools should follow the same model for world language instruction (i.e. same amount of time, same allocation of resources, same number of staffing, etc.)

• Add K-2 Spanish at a minimum of two days a week but optimally, three to five days a week.

• Create an exploratory team to investigate dual immersion models and how other schools do it. (i.e. feasibility study, surveys, etc.)

  • When adding in the research and support, mention the ELL information (cognitive development, critical thinking, etc.)

3-5 year recommendations

• Add a dual immersion strand.

• Assure that there is K-2 Spanish three to five days a week.

Grades 6-12 Secondary Recommendation List

1-2 year recommendations

• SSMS-

  • Continue leveling of Spanish courses in eighth grade

  • Add to seventh grade

  • Continue to support frequency (current schedule, 40 minutes a day)

• SSHS-

  • Change high school students to see every day rather than every other day (increase frequency) in any world language classes (currently French and Spanish as well as any new additions).

  • Add Mandarin as a “live class” in the high school (as opposed to online, CMC, etc.)

    • Introduce an additional language?

  • Create tracking/leveling for world language classes for Level 1 and Level 2 classes (Levels 1A and 1B for example)

** With these, point out that these are scheduling issues as opposed to budget issues for both SSMS and SSHS.

3-5 year recommendations

• Expand world language options.

• Increase collaboration with CMC.

• Maintain viable alternatives to allow students to fulfill the SSHS world language requirement.

  • For example, encouraging CMC to offer American Sign Language every year