Trustees discuss expanding dual-language program after department report and public comment
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Summary
The board discussed results from the bilingual/foreign language department and public requests to expand dual-language instruction; department leaders said parent opt-in and secondary staffing certifications are primary barriers.
A presentation on McAllen ISD's bilingual, ESL and foreign language programs and public comments at the Oct. 21 board meeting focused trustees' attention on expanding the district's dual-language offerings.
Dr. Alex Stein, identified as a parent and president of Archivipuende, told trustees "fewer than 1 in 5 are participating in dual language" despite a large emerging bilingual population, and said Texas House Bill 3 already yields additional funding for dual-language participants. "McAllen's dual language students already generate something like $564,000 extra a year," he said, and estimated broader expansion could bring more revenue over time.
Rocío Nava, director of the bilingual, ESL and foreign languages department, told the board the district currently serves 5,724 emerging bilingual students — about 29% of enrollment — and noted 1,586 students participate in dual-language programs across designated campuses. Nava said the district offers five of six state-approved program models, including two-way dual language at select campuses and bilingual early-exit programs at the elementary level.
Nava told trustees expansion is possible but depends primarily on parental "buy in" because McAllen is a district of choice: "We would need parent support approval... We have the resources. We have the plan. We have the program. Teacher certification is present in most of the campuses," she said. Nava explained that expansion at the secondary level is more difficult because bilingual certification is less common among secondary teachers and subject-area instruction in Spanish requires staff who are proficient and certified to teach core content in both languages.
Board members praised the program and asked administration to include dual language growth strategies in upcoming strategic-planning work. Trustee comments emphasized dual language's academic advantages and community benefits; no formal board action was taken on program changes during the meeting. Nava said the district will provide trustees with program-performance breakdowns by program participation for previous years when final state data are available.
Why this matters: Dual-language programs affect curriculum planning, staffing and long-term budget planning. Trustees and the public framed the issue as both an equity issue (access to biliteracy) and a program-planning question that intersects with recruitment, certification and parental choice.
