Dixon Unified board approves Dual Immersion strategic plan; district to expand program at Gretchen Higgins
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Summary
The board approved a dual-immersion strategic plan that currently serves K–2 at Gretchen Higgins and will expand to include TK and third grade next year, with goals to grow the program toward TK–6 and to provide coaching and Spanish resources.
The Dixon Unified School District board voted May 15 to approve a Dual Immersion (DLI) strategic plan focused at Gretchen Higgins Elementary, where the district currently operates a K–2 Spanish-English program that the district will expand to TK and third grade next year.
Presenters said the program uses a 90/10 model in early grades (90% Spanish, 10% English in kindergarten and first grade), transitions toward a more balanced 50/50 model in upper grades, and will add two TK classrooms and two third-grade classrooms in 2025–26. Teachers and principals told trustees the program produced measurable gains in both languages and reported strong family interest and positive feedback.
Why it matters: District leaders and teachers said a sustained DLI program can lead to bilingualism and biliteracy and closes achievement gaps over time. The presenters asked the board to approve the DLI strategic plan and requested district support for a dedicated DLI coach, additional Spanish instructional resources, and an enrollment process that preserves language balance in classes.
Key points from presenters
• Enrollment and model: Program is currently K–2; the district will add TK and third-grade sections next year and will work toward expanding through sixth grade. The preferred model is 90% Spanish instruction in early grades, shifting to 50/50 in upper elementary.
• Assessments: The program uses the same district assessments as other schools (formative and summative measures) and monitors bilingual progress in both Spanish and English. Presenters noted internal Spanish-literacy gains and positive family feedback.
• Migrant family outreach: District and school leaders said a prior misunderstanding led to migrant families being steered away. Presenters and the superintendent said they have scheduled a meeting with the migrant center to provide information and enrollment opportunities for migrant families; they said research supports DLI as beneficial to newcomer and migrant students.
Board action and next steps
Trustees voted to approve the Dual Immersion strategic plan and asked the administration to proceed with program expansion, resource allocation and outreach. The school will pilot DLI materials and identify a coach to support teachers; the board and presenters said they will continue incremental expansion and monitor bilingual literacy outcomes.
Quotation
• "If our district does dual immersion k–12, we could be producing trilingual students; the only way to do that is to have the supports and resources we need," said Principal Gina Yamas Cruz of Gretchen Higgins.
Ending
With board approval, school leaders said they will proceed with the TK and third-grade additions in 2025–26, work on a standardized enrollment process to maintain language balance and begin recruiting an immersion coach and bilingual resources.
