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States have mixed opinions on bilingual education efforts. Here’s why it matters.

September 10, 2024

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In March 2024, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne backed a lawsuit, filed by a parent, to stop the usage of dual language models in the state’s education system. That same month, House Bill 1228 passed unanimously in the House and Senate to permanently fund dual language program availability for every school district by the year 2040. Two weeks later, Chicago Public Schools announced they were planning to significantly expand their dual language programs, with 37 schools already following dual language models. Recently, the U.S. Department of Education announced over $11 million in grants to support the recruitment and retention of bilingual and multilingual educators and provide high quality programming to Native students in an effort to strengthen and revitalize Native American languages. With the debate on dual language programs gaining national traction, the fight for bilingual education efforts has reached an unprecedented level of public visibility and support.

In this article, we’ll be overviewing why bilingual education is vital for the American education system and for our children to thrive. We’ll cover topics like:

The current state of bilingual education in America
The importance of bilingual education
The benefits of bilingual education
The SEAL Model and bilingual education
SEAL’s impact on bilingual education and multilingual learning

At SEAL (Sobrato Early Academic Language), we merge powerful research and an evidence-based approach to advancing the educational outcomes of multilingual learners. We work across the state of California, partnering with preschools and elementary schools, districts, county offices and other educational stakeholders to ensure all English Learners and Dual Language Learners alike can engage in rigorous and joyful learning.

To learn more about SEAL, you can see our resources, contact us for more information, or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

The Current State of Bilingual Education in America

Bilingual education in the United States is experiencing significant growth and transformation, driven by initiatives such as the Raise the Bar: Lead the World, Global California 2030, and the California English Learner (EL) Roadmap. These programs collectively aim to enhance multilingual proficiency among students, recognizing its critical role in a globally connected world.

Raise the Bar

The Raise the Bar: Lead the World initiative by the U.S. Department of Education aims to make multilingualism a core component of American education. This initiative is addressing the critical gap between the high demand for bilingual skills in the job market—90% of employers seek these skills—and the current reality, where only 20% of Americans are fluent in more than one language. To bridge this gap, Raise the Bar is investing over $890 million in Title III grants to enhance English learner education, and proposing an additional $25 million to scale up dual-language immersion programs. Moreover, the initiative emphasizes the importance of developing a diverse and multilingual educator workforce, which is essential for delivering high-quality bilingual education across the country. The focus on multilingualism is not just about language acquisition but also about preparing students to thrive in a global economy where bilingualism is increasingly a competitive advantage.

Global California 2030

California’s Global California 2030 initiative is setting a national example by aiming to have 50% of all K-12 students proficient in two or more languages by 2030. This initiative is driven by the state’s recognition of the economic and cultural benefits of multilingualism, particularly in a state as diverse as California. The program has already made significant strides, with the number of students earning the State Seal of Biliteracy growing from 10,685 in 2011-12 to over 56,000 in 2018-19, with a goal of 175,000 by 2030. Global California 2030 is also focused on expanding dual-language immersion programs, with a plan to increase the number of these programs from 407 in 2017 to 1,600 by 2030. Additionally, the initiative aims to double the number of bilingual teachers, ensuring that the state’s schools can meet the growing demand for high-quality bilingual education. This ambitious plan reflects California’s commitment to preparing students for success in a globalized world, where multilingualism is not just a skill but a necessity.

California English Learner Roadmap

The California English Learner (EL) Roadmap is a key component of the state’s efforts to support bilingual education, providing a comprehensive framework for improving the education of English learners. The roadmap emphasizes an asset-based approach, recognizing the value of students’ home languages and using them as a foundation for academic success. This approach aligns with both the Raise the Bar initiative and Global California 2030, as it promotes inclusive and effective bilingual education programs that value and build upon students’ existing linguistic skills. The EL Roadmap has been instrumental in expanding dual-language immersion programs and ensuring that English learners have access to high-quality education that supports both English proficiency and multilingualism. By focusing on the unique needs of English learners, the roadmap is helping to create a more equitable and inclusive educational environment where all students can thrive.

Why is Bilingual Education Important?

Bilingual education offers numerous cognitive, cultural, and societal benefits. By fostering the ability to speak more than one language, it enhances mental processes, preserves cultural heritage, and prepares individuals for a globalized world. Here are some of the key reasons why bilingual education is crucial:

Increased attention control
Enhanced working memory
Attunement to the structure and form of language
Preservation of linguistic diversity

Increased Attention Control

The ability to switch between languages requires the brain to filter out distractions and focus on relevant information, strengthening executive functions such as attention control. This heightened ability to concentrate helps individuals excel in environments that require multitasking and quick adaptation to changing scenarios.

Enhanced Working Memory

Bilingual education strengthens working memory, the cognitive system responsible for temporarily holding and processing information. Managing two or more languages simultaneously improves the brain's ability to store and manipulate information, enhancing working memory. This cognitive advantage is not only beneficial in academic settings but also in everyday tasks that require problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Attunement to the Structure and Form of Language

Learning multiple languages sharpens an individual’s sensitivity to the structure and nuances of language. Bilingual individuals develop a heightened awareness of grammar, syntax, and phonetics, which can enhance their overall linguistic abilities. This attunement to language structure aids in the learning of additional languages and improves literacy skills in both the native and second languages.

Preservation of Linguistic Diversity

Bilingual education plays a vital role in preserving linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. By promoting the learning and use of multiple languages, it helps maintain the rich tapestry of global languages that might otherwise be at risk of disappearing. Preserving these languages ensures that cultural traditions, histories, and identities are kept alive for future generations, fostering a more inclusive and culturally aware society.

The Benefits of Bilingual Education

Bilingual education offers numerous advantages that extend beyond language proficiency, impacting various aspects of individual and societal well-being. Here are some of the key benefits:

Cognitive Benefits: Bilingual individuals often exhibit enhanced problem-solving skills, greater creativity, and improved multitasking abilities. The process of learning and managing two languages strengthens the brain's executive functions, which include attention control, cognitive flexibility, and memory.
Economic Benefits: Bilingualism opens up a wide range of economic opportunities. In a globalized job market, employers highly value individuals who can communicate in more than one language. Bilingual employees can engage with a broader customer base, negotiate in different cultural contexts, and facilitate international business operations.
Social Benefits: Being bilingual enhances social interaction and communication skills. It allows individuals to connect with people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, fostering greater empathy and understanding. Bilingual education encourages a broader worldview, helping individuals to appreciate and respect cultural diversity. This increased cultural sensitivity can improve interpersonal relationships and reduce cultural biases, making bilingual individuals more effective communicators and collaborators.
Communal Benefits: On a community level, bilingual education strengthens social cohesion and cultural heritage. It helps preserve minority languages, ensuring that cultural traditions and identities are passed down through generations. Communities with strong bilingual programs are often more inclusive, providing educational and social opportunities to non-native speakers. This inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment among community members, leading to stronger, more united communities that celebrate diversity.

Redwood City District Case Study

The Redwood City School District provides a compelling example of the positive impact of bilingual education through its implementation of the SEAL model. Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Redwood City has utilized SEAL to foster a rich, bilingual learning environment that supports the diverse linguistic needs of its student population.

The implementation of SEAL in Redwood City has led to notable academic improvements among students, particularly in their fluency in both English and Spanish. The focus on thematic units and hands-on learning has allowed students to engage deeply with academic content, enhancing their understanding and retention. Teachers have reported increased vocabulary acquisition and deeper subject matter expertise among students. The bilingual approach also supports a smoother transition for students as they move between languages, enhancing their overall academic performance and confidence in both languages.

SEAL’s emphasis on family engagement and cultural relevance has strengthened the connection between Redwood City schools and their communities. Activities like family projects, Gallery Walks, and classroom participation allow parents to actively engage in their children's education. This involvement not only enriches the students' learning experiences but also fosters a sense of community and belonging. The inclusion of cultural practices and family stories into the curriculum helps students to see their identities reflected in their education, promoting a positive and inclusive school culture.

The success of bilingual education in Redwood City can be attributed to strong leadership and a commitment to sustainability. The district has taken a centralized approach to implementing SEAL, which includes providing adequate training, resources, and support for teachers. This has allowed Redwood City to align its bilingual programs across schools, ensuring consistency and quality.

The SEAL Approach and Bilingual Education

After reading the Redwood City School District’s case study, you may be wondering: what is the SEAL approach?

The SEAL approach is an educational model designed to support English learners through a comprehensive, language-rich curriculum. Key elements of our approach include:

Language and Literacy Development: Integrated throughout all content areas, ensuring that language skills are built alongside academic knowledge.
Thematic Units: Instruction is organized around thematic units that are relevant and culturally responsive, helping students connect learning to their own experiences.
Family Engagement: SEAL emphasizes strong family partnerships, recognizing the vital role of families in students’ academic success.
Professional Development: Ongoing training for educators ensures they have the tools and strategies needed to effectively support ELLs.
Equity and Inclusion: The approach is rooted in a commitment to educational equity, aiming to provide all students, particularly ELLs, with the opportunity to succeed academically while also developing bilingualism and biliteracy.

SEAL's Impact on San Jose Unified School District

The SEAL model, implemented in the San Jose Unified School District starting in 2008, demonstrated significant benefits for language and literacy development among young learners, particularly English Learners (ELs). SEAL's comprehensive approach integrated language development with academic content, creating language-rich environments from preschool through the early elementary years. By 2015, data showed that SEAL students, who initially had low levels of language proficiency, exhibited significant growth in English and Spanish literacy, often surpassing their peers in non-SEAL programs.

SEAL’s impact is particularly evident as students receiving full SEAL instruction exhibited marked improvements in both English and Spanish literacy. The program emphasizes the development of oral language skills, reading comprehension, and writing abilities through thematic units and interactive learning. Data from San Jose showed that SEAL students, who started with low levels of language proficiency, made significant strides, often surpassing their peers in traditional, non-SEAL classrooms. This growth was most noticeable in grades 2 and 3, where SEAL students consistently outperformed those with partial or no SEAL exposure.

SEAL students achieved higher scores in mathematics and other subjects, demonstrating that strong language skills can enhance comprehension and performance across the curriculum. The bilingual approach of SEAL ensures that students do not fall behind in academic content while learning English, which is critical for maintaining engagement and reducing dropout rates. Long-term, SEAL's emphasis on bilingual proficiency positions students for greater academic and career opportunities, providing a foundation for success in a multicultural and multilingual world.

A key component of SEAL’s success in San Jose is its focus on family engagement. The program encourages parents to actively participate in their children's education, fostering a supportive home environment that reinforces language and literacy development. In San Jose, SEAL has led to increased literacy activities at home, with many parents regularly reading with their children and participating in school-related events. This involvement not only supports academic success but also strengthens community ties and promotes cultural pride.

You can download SEAL’s pilot report here. Or, you can look through other district case studies:

Celebrate Bilingual Education with SEAL

Bilingual education is at a pivotal moment in the United States, with growing recognition of its value both academically and culturally. Initiatives like Raise the Bar, Global California 2030, and the SEAL model are leading the charge in integrating multilingualism into the core of the educational system. These efforts highlight that bilingual education is more than just language learning; it’s a pathway to cognitive development, economic opportunity, social cohesion, and cultural preservation. Success stories from districts like Redwood City and San Jose illustrate the profound impact bilingual education can have. Students in these programs not only achieve higher academic outcomes but also gain the skills and confidence to navigate and contribute to a diverse and interconnected world.

These initiatives are particularly important in the face of mixed opinions on bilingual education efforts across the country. While some states actively promote dual-language programs, others have attempted to restrict or limit them. However, the evidence from research and case studies like those of SEAL clearly shows that embracing bilingual education can lead to stronger educational outcomes, more inclusive communities, and better preparation for students to thrive in a global economy.

Ultimately, the future of bilingual education lies in the commitment of educators, policymakers, and communities to recognize and support the inherent value of linguistic diversity. By investing in bilingual programs, we ensure that all students, regardless of background, have the opportunity to develop as fully bilingual and biliterate individuals. This not only prepares them for personal and professional success but also strengthens the fabric of our society, promoting understanding and respect across cultural and linguistic boundaries. The progress made thus far is a testament to what is possible, and the ongoing efforts will continue to pave the way for a more inclusive and multilingual future for all.

At SEAL, we base our approach on extensive evidence and research to bastion English Learner, Dual Language Learner, and Multilingual Learner communities. To learn more about our work and our efforts to develop more inclusive, empathetic, and effective education programs, you can see resources, case studies, or contact us for more info.