Dare County Schools outlines high‑school pathway for dual‑language students

Dare County Schools staff used a parent information session to explain how the district will place eighth‑grade dual language immersion (DLI) students into high‑school Spanish courses and what options will be available as the program expands.

The presenter said the students “have completed eight years of dual language instruction, developing your bilingual skills in English and Spanish,” and described how the STAMP Spanish assessment will guide placement into Spanish II or Spanish III.

STAMP and placement The presenter described STAMP as a standards‑based Spanish proficiency assessment that measures reading, writing, listening and speaking and focuses on real‑life communication rather than vocabulary lists or conjugation drills. Staff said many DLI students are taking the STAMP this week and next week, and that counselors will review results with DLI teachers and families to determine the best high‑school placement.

Staff emphasized that STAMP is one data point among several. “That’s only one bit of that child,” the presenter said, noting that classroom performance and conversations with the DLI teacher may lead to a different placement if a student needs more traditional grammar instruction in Spanish II.

Credits, credentials and advanced courses District staff said students who complete DLI in sixth through eighth grades will enter high school with two world‑language credits. The presenter also outlined the seal of biliteracy (global language endorsement), which can appear on a diploma when a student demonstrates proficiency in two or more languages, and said colleges may view that credential favorably for admissions and scholarships.

As the cohort progresses, staff hope to expand advanced offerings, including AP Spanish Language and AP Spanish Literature, if student interest and enrollment support those classes. The presenter named Cape Hatteras Secondary, First Flight High and Manteo High as schools with teachers who have taught AP Spanish elsewhere and who could develop such offerings locally.

Interpreter certification pathway District staff described exploratory work on an interpreter certification program typically offered at community colleges. The presenter said such a certificate usually requires about 18 college credits, focuses on listening and speaking accuracy, professional ethics and cultural competence, and could be offered through College Credit Plus or online; the program would be a multi‑year implementation if pursued.

Next steps and contact points Staff told families the STAMP results will be returned and used in scheduling conversations with high‑school counselors. “If you have questions about STAMP preparation, the best person to reach out to is your DLI teacher,” the presenter said; high‑school scheduling questions should go to each school’s counselor. The presenter said the session was being recorded and the district will post the recording for parents who could not attend.

The presenter closed by encouraging parents to contact their DLI teacher or school counselor with questions and said the district will follow up after STAMP scores are released.