Skip To Main Content

FAQ

Two-Way 80:20 Dual Language Immersion

Selah K-8+ Dual Program FAQ

General Questions

  1. What is a Prek-8+ dual language program?

Selah School district offers a Spanish Two-Way, 80:20 Dual Language Immersion Program starting in Preschool through the 8th grade. Selah High School will offer a Plus program that will allow all students from the dual program the opportunity for access and choice of any High school pathway or College in the Classroom classes as well as apply their bilingual and biliterate skills in Spanish classes within their pathway. Pathway classes in Spanish will run based on enrollment. Students will be on the trajectory to earn the Seal of Biliteracy by taking the STAMP test in 8th grade. Prek-8+ Dual Program

  1. How do students register for the Selah Dual Language program? 

Dual language is an opportunity for all students enrolling in kindergarten in the Selah School District.  Complete kinder registration and dual interest form by May 31st prior to starting Kinder in the fall. Anyone that does not meet this deadline will be placed on a waitlist.  The waitlist will be maintained until December of 1st grade. Dual is a program for multilingual learners and they will be entered in the program unless parents opt out.  Anyone not served in the multilingual program will be placed on a lottery list to be chosen for the program.  If a student on the lottery list is not chosen, they will be placed on the waitlist. If a Kindergarten student has a sibling in the Dual language program they will be given priority over the lottery list. 

  1. What assessments do students take to ensure they are making gains in both languages? 

Students entering into Kindergarten will be tested using the Individual Proficiency Test (IPT) in their home language as a literacy baseline.  Grades K-1 will be monitored in both English and Spanish proficiencies using the IRLA/ENIL tests connected to the American Reading Company literacy curriculum.  Grades 2-6 will take the STAMP test annually to measure Spanish Proficiency in Listening and Speaking. Grades 7-8 will take the STAMP test in all four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. If students reach Intermediate-Mid or above in each domain: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening, they are eligible for the Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation.

  1. How do you earn the State Seal of biliteracy? What is the purpose of the Seal of Biliteracy? 

The Washington state Seal of Biliteracy recognizes public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. This is not a recognition for only dual language students. The Seal of Biliteracy helps colleges and universities identify bilingual students and award credit to applicants for the attainment of high-level skills in another language and can help boost job opportunities and elevate base salary or pay for students in many fields.

Students wanting to earn the Seal of biliteracy need to show proficiency in English and in a language other than English upon graduation. A student will need to meet all graduation pathway requirements to show proficiency in English.  To show proficiency in a language other than English, a student could either pass a state approved assessment and earn four competency-based credits or earn 4 class credits before passing the state approved assessment. 

OPSI: Washington State Seal of Biliteracy

Board Policy 2409 https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/selah/Board.nsf/Public

  

Prek-8 Dual Program

  1. What are the Pillars of Dual Language?

Pillar One: Bilingualism and biliteracy are the first goal in dual language. Because students are learning content via two languages, they must be able to speak, write, read, listen, and use each of the two program languages as a support for the other. Pillar Two: The second goal of dual language programs is to ensure high academic achievement for each student, in both program languages. This is extremely important because students in dual language programs must excel in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, physical education, music, and art, in both languages of instruction. Pillar Three: Sociocultural competence is often the forgotten pillar of dual language. But, it is the one goal that the other two pillars rest on. Students in dual language programs should be able to see the similarities and differences in each other, but rather than identifying the differences as obstacles to overcome, they should be viewed as opportunities to connect. 

  1. What does Dual look like at Robert Lince Early Learning Center? John Campbell Primary? Selah Intermediate School? 

Our Spanish/English Two-Way Dual Immersion program has bilingual staff dedicated to the success of our learners.  Students experience instruction at Kindergarten in an 80:20 model, where 80% of instruction is in Spanish and 20% of instruction is in English.  Each year, more instruction in English is added until a 50:50 balance is reached by third grade. 

 

  1. What does Dual look like at Selah Middle School level?

We are committed to providing high quality instructional programming for dual students in grades 6-8 at a high academic level through an SLA class and Science.  Students will also have a choice an elective in Spanish.  A middle school, dual language student will receive 50% of their day in Spanish.  

 

  1. What middle school electives will be available?

Electives:

Drama

Storytelling with Art

Digital Photography

Washington State History (7th grade)

PLTW:

Design & Modeling

Medical Detectives

Robotics

Green structures

9-12 Application Opportunities

  1. Will dual students still take an SLA class? 

Students will have the opportunity to register for an SLA class as an elective starting tentatively in the 24-25 school year. 

  1. How will students gain access to advanced literacy opportunities in Spanish?

Selah is currently working with CWU to offer 200 level Spanish classes as a College in the High School course.  College in the High school courses must be approved by our college partners and staff must have certifications aligned to college professor requirements.

  1. What classes will be offered in Spanish? What Spanish elective choices will be available?

Spanish Courses are outlined in the High school course catalog. Counselors will be available to answer questions on classes and registration at the Futures Night on March 18th. Course Catalog link. Direct link to Dual Language course offerings

  1. Will dual students have less choice in elective classes than non-dual students?

No. The Plus program is designed so that all students have access to the entire course catalog for their grade level. It is up to the student to register for Spanish courses. All Spanish courses will run dependent on enrollment of the class. This is a requirement for all courses at SHS.

  1. Does my student have to take two years of Foreign language to pass the STAMP?

No. 8th grade students that pass the STAMP test at an intermediate-mid level or above will enter high school with four competency—based credits and will be able to skip Spanish 151 & 152.  They will be able to move right into Spanish 153. 

  1. How can I help my child in the registration process to ensure they get Spanish courses?

Become familiar with Spanish courses in the Catalog and when they are offered in your child’s high school journey.  Families can also attend Future’s Night to learn about the registration process to ensure that students register for Spanish courses.  

  1. Will students have access to programs abroad and/or internships?

The High school is developing internship opportunities for all students and students who are bilingual and biliterate will have the opportunity to apply those skills through internships that also align with their pathway choice and/or future career goals.  Programs abroad are being researched at this time.

  1. Will students have access to Spanish classes online?

Spanish online courses are being researched at this time.