Spanish immersion program excels with 100 percent seal of biliteracy for students

The South Washington County School Board Workshop held on February 6, 2025, focused on the growth and challenges of the district's Spanish immersion program. Key discussions highlighted the program's success in retaining students and attracting new families, particularly those with prior immersion experience.

During the meeting, educators noted that while some students leave for other high schools, the program continues to gain new students, especially native Spanish speakers. This year, three families transitioned from other immersion schools back into the district's program, showcasing a positive trend in retention and recruitment.

However, the district faces significant challenges in staffing. The competition for qualified immersion teachers is intense, compounded by licensing barriers for native Spanish-speaking educators from other countries. Although recent changes in Minnesota's tiered licensure system have eased some restrictions, finding teachers who possess both language skills and pedagogical knowledge remains difficult. The district is actively networking with local universities to identify and recruit potential candidates.

The meeting also addressed the depth of language acquisition in immersion programs. High school students often enter at advanced levels, requiring teachers to adapt their methods significantly compared to traditional language classes. The curriculum includes rigorous academic work, such as reading novels and writing research papers in Spanish, which demands a high level of commitment from students.

Despite the challenges, the program boasts a remarkable achievement: a 100% pass rate for students earning the seal of biliteracy over the past five years. This accomplishment reflects the effectiveness of the immersion approach and the dedication of both students and teachers.

Looking ahead, the district is optimistic about its future, with a growing number of graduates expressing interest in returning as teachers. This "grow your own" initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of educators who understand the unique demands of immersion education.

Overall, the workshop underscored the district's commitment to enhancing its Spanish immersion program while navigating the complexities of staffing and curriculum development. The discussions highlighted both the successes and ongoing challenges as the district strives to provide quality education in a bilingual environment.