Brief Comments about the Dual Language Program from Dr. Petrosino

Interested readers of this blog should point their browsers to the following posts where you will find documentation on the discussions centering around the Hoboken Dual Language Program (a.k.a. HoLa).

May 28, 2008
October 1, 2008
October 8, 2008
October 24, 2008
November 1, 2008
November 18, 2008

In these posts, readers should find a reasonable account that documents the evolution of the communications between the district and representatives of the HoLa Partnership. These posts, like all posts on this blog, are intended to inform and document curricula and instructional efforts underway in the Hoboken School District. Discussions with the partnership was a long and vetted process and was brought formally to the Superintendent after months of discussions, e-mails, and meetings on a semi monthly basis.

Addressing some concerns:
The survey that was undertaken: Comments concerning "thesis like quality" at the Board of Education meeting referred to the efforts undertaken by the HoLa partnership in doing a quality stratified sampling of the parents of families of school age children in Hoboken. We were satisfied that the surveys conducted did a very good job of sampling the population along numerous demographic groups in the city. This does not mean every family was asked but by using statistical principles of sampling, a reasonable approximation of public sentiment was obtained. The quality of this sampling was on a par with that for dissertations and publications. 

The expertise of the HoLa Partnership LLP: Concerning the characterization of the members of HoLa and their expertise-- the members of HoLa display a significant degree of specialized skill derived from experience and knowledge about dual language and literacy. They have spent hundreds of hours in conversations with, writing about, reading, and debating the benefits and challenges of dual language literacy. They have conducted an excellent review of the relevant literature and have an solid handle on both the qualitative and quantitative studies done in the area.

Finally, we are a data driven district and becoming more so with each passing day- we would like to believe we have a healthy skepticism about educational reform efforts and new programs that claim to be innovative and/or helpful without clear evidence. Any recommendation for a new or an expansion of existing programs should be done with due diligence.

Hoboken Dual Language Program Approved by Board of Education

On the evening of November 18, the Hoboken Board of Education voted to support development and funding for the Hoboken Dual Language Program (also known as HoLa). The vote was preceded by a formal presentation on dual language programs in general, and the Hoboken Dual Language Program in specific by Camille Korschun Bustillo and Jennifer Hindman Sargent of the HoLa Leadership LLP. After the presentation, there was a question and answer period moderated by Board President Kearns and Superintendent Raslowsky which included thoughtful and sometimes spirited comments by parents, citizens and community leaders. The Hoboken Dual Language Program will join a list of other programs in the district including, but not limited to, The John Hopkins Gifted and Talented Program (Grades 3-7); the Middle Years International Baccalaureate Program (MYP) (Grades 5-10); and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (Grades 11 and 12).

Dual language is a form of education in which students are taught literacy and content in two languages. The majority of dual language programs in the United States teach in English and Spanish. Dual language programs use the partner language (in this case Spanish) for at least half of the instructional day in the elementary years, HoLa will use the partner language in approximately 90% of the instructional day. Dual language programs aim for bilingualism (the ability to speak fluently in two languages), biliteracy (the ability to read and write in two languages), academic achievement equal to that of students in non-dual language programs, and cross-cultural competence.

Helpful Links
http://www.hoboken.k12.nj.us/index.php?q=node/1101
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_language
http://www.cal.org/twi/guidingprinciples.htm
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=271995
http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2008/11/hoboken_parents_divided_over_d.html
http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2008/11/hoboken_schools_approve_spanis.html

Post Halloween Curriculum Development Saturday

On Saturday, November 1 the Hoboken Curriculum Committee met in the Brandt Professional Development Center from 9AM to 3PM. Highlights of the day included collaboration between the mathematics and science curriculum committees thanks to the efforts of Supervisor Howard McKenzie; significant advancement by the Social Studies group on the 11th grade units; and an informal afternoon meeting between representatives of HoLa and the World Languages group (see picture).

World Language: Today we finished revising the mappinig for the World Language Curriculum from the 9th to the 12th grade. We used Avancemos levels one and two for the Standard level of IB and Encuentros Maravillosos for the Higher level of IB. We were creating guiding questions and planning alternative assessments when we were visited by
¡HOLA! representatives Camille Bustillo and Jen Sargent. We spent the remainder of the day in a spirited and thoughtful discussion on the benefits of two way immersion.

Social Studies: is 75% finished with the 11 grade MYP units. We will continue with the last unit on Mon 11/3. We will also start writing the units for Grade 4 during the sessions on Monday - Wednesday.

Science: Completed grade two – units 1-4 ; Initiated grade two- unit 5; Revised and found assessments for grade 9 – units 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Immediate plans include: Complete grade 2 units 5-10 and big ideas for all units; Complete the MPY units plans for grade 9 and the big ideas; Find assessment for the scientific method unit; Initiate grade 10 units

Language Arts: Today the language arts team completed the Big Ideas for the second grade and had completed the big ideas for grades 3 for unit 1 and 2. They will work towards completion of the Big Ideas for the third grades, thus completing the Primary school curriculum for Language Arts. The middle and high school Language Arts curriculum is complete through eleventh grade.

Theatre: Fully completed all Big ideas and Unit planners for the 19th grade. Entered those units into the “L-Drive.” Began planning for 11th and 12th grades Diploma Program.

Visual Arts: The team organized all prior work done for grades 6 and 7. Started MYP Big ideas and unit plans for 8th grade.

Dual Language Presentation

On Friday, members of HoLa (Ms. Camille Korschun and Ms. Jennifer Hindman) made a short Powerpoint presentation to administrators in the Hoboken school district centering on the research associated with dual language programs. In addition to research findings, discussion of the importance of dual language programs and 21st Century skills were discussed as well as implementation strategies that have been successful in districts across the country. The meeting lasted approximately 90 minutes and plans for follow up meetings were discussed but not finalized.

HoLa Meeting

Today Ms. Camille Korschun, Ms. Jennifer Hindman, Superintendent Raslowsky and Dr. Petrosino met to discuss a proposed dual language program (Spanish-English) as an educational option to the Hoboken families within the public schools. HoLa () is committed to establishing a strong tradition of excellence through a two-way dual language educational model in which both Engkish and Spanish will be used as tools on instruction in delivering a challenging academic program to a student body composed of native speakers of both languages. Exceptional dual language education will be provided through a rigerous curriculum that meets or exceeds the State of New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. Further discussions are being proposed. HoLa will have a booth at the Hoboken Family Allicance Open House on Tuesday, October 7th from 5-8pm at Hoboken High School.

Hoboken Dual Language Project (HoLa)

Today a meeting occurred between administrators of the Hoboken School District and founding members of the Hoboken Dual Language Project (HoLa). HoLa has a sincere interest in improving the quality of education in Hoboken as well as increasing the number of choices available to our community. HoLa bring a range of experiences to their project including their common love of language, international travel, and cultural exchenage. The 30 minute meeting centered on the importance of immersion programs in the social, cognitive and cultural development of the child; curricula and pedagogical reforms currently under way in the Hoboken School District; the concept of Contract Schools, and a desire to meet again in a few weeks for a follow-up meeting.