Workforce Language Services

A proposal for a public bilingual charter school failed to pass last week in Austin, Texas. The school was competing with five others for selection by the State Board of Education. Texas has capped charters in recent legislation due to some overspending since the first charter schools opened 10 years ago.

Austin Community School, the proposed school concept, would incorporate classes in both Spanish and English, with a stronger emphasis on Spanish in the earlier years, taught by instructors experienced in the International Baccalaureate program and dual-language education.

The goal of the Austin Community School is to offer a complete, well-implemented dual language program to all children of Austin, regardless of race or economic background, [Austin Community School board treasurer Lori] May said. There are no dual language programs in Austin outside of private schools, and many parents can’t afford to send their children to these schools.

The school would start with Spanish- and English-speaking children ages five to seven (kindergarten and first grade), and would add a grade each year. The school’s supporters cite research that children excel in school and have a lower drop-out rate when taught in a bilingual environment.

Supporters haven’t given up on the bilingual charter school proposal, and are looking for other opportunities and financing to push forward.

Read the full article in The Daily Texan here.