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District to explore creative options after low Mandarin retention rates
Summary
Assistant Superintendent said district staff met with about 15 families and heard Mandarin provides identity and college benefits for some students; district data indicate roughly a 16.87% retention 'chance' from kindergarten, prompting staff to seek alternative program solutions.
An Assistant Superintendent reported repeated meetings with roughly 15 families advocating for the Mandarin program and acknowledged the program's importance to students' cultural identity and college competitiveness. Staff said enrollment and retention numbers are low: district data show "about a 16.87 chance" that a student who starts Mandarin in kindergarten will remain in the program later, a statistic staff characterized as concerning and the impetus to seek creative solutions.
The assistant superintendent said staff are listening and considering ways to support students outside the regular school‑day curriculum or through other nontraditional curriculum options; no specific program changes or funding commitments were proposed at the meeting.
