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Board will continue DLI study after survey finds polarized parent views; recommendations expected by November
Summary
District staff presented findings from a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) survey and recommended developing protocols for adding/removing special programs, expanding program options beyond DLI, and producing board recommendations by November.
Dr. Beckerini, presenting the district’s DLI survey results, told the Weber School District Board that staff recommend creating formal protocols for adding or removing special programs and expanding program options beyond current DLI offerings.
“First [recommendation] is in regard to adding and removing special programs...we should give consideration to both pedagogical and educational access, the location of programs, fiscal costs including staffing, student community engagement and enrollment, and lastly, academic success,” Dr. Beckerini said, summarizing the study team’s proposed criteria.
The district plans a series of follow-up items: compile additional academic and physical data, survey teachers in DLI schools, and present multiple study pieces during upcoming meetings. Dr. Beckerini said the district aims to bring recommendations to the board “right around November of this fall.”
Board member Kelly and other board members raised concerns that parent responses were strongly polarized. Kelly said many parents either strongly support DLI or strongly oppose it, and emphasized school culture issues at the elementary level: “you either love it or you hate it,” she said, describing parent feedback that some DLI programs create a “haves and have‑nots” feeling in neighborhood schools. Kelly encouraged polling DLI teachers to gather their perspectives and said elementary implementation needs particular attention.
The DLI work will focus on both the Chinese and Spanish programs. Staff noted that some parents reported declining engagement at the secondary level and that some secondary offerings (for example, a single geography course in Spanish) did not match parent expectations established when students entered the program. The study will aim to reconcile program continuity from elementary through secondary grades.
No board action was taken; the presentation was informational and staff requested further feedback and data to inform later recommendations.
