Washington is poised to become the first state to offer dual language education in every school district.
The announcement from State Schools Superintendent, Chris Reykdal, includes a plan to double the 35,000 students already in dual language classes for the 2023-24 school year; to get it to between 85 and 90% of students by 2030; and then to finish bringing the programs to the remaining districts by 2040.
Reykdal says research shows starting language programs at a young age is great for overall cognitive development. “When students are in early language programs,” Reykdal says, “the way their brain is being mapped, their ability to master language and then make connections to other subjects – math and science and P.E. and health and social studies – it all gets enhanced through the power of language.”
Reykdal says the plan includes extra pay: a $5,000 stipend for the teachers and $1,500 for paraeducators in those classrooms, and he acknowledges it won’t be cheap. His budget request is for $189-million in the next 2-year budget to begin the expansion.
