The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
The township school district’s bilingual and English as a Second Language education programs were recently honored by the state Department of Education.
Named as a “model of best practice” were the bilingual program in Grades K-4 and the ESL program in Grades K-4 and at Franklin High School, according to a press release from the DOE.
Franklin was one of 11 school districts in the state to be so honored.
The districts, according to the release, will serve as models of best practices in world language, dual language, bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs.
The programs were identified through a process that included extensive program review, as well as a site visit conducted by state officials, college professors, and world language and bilingual/ESL program supervisors, according to the release.
“Second language studies are integral to scholastic achievement and student success,” DOE Commissioner Lamont O. Repollet said in the release. “New languages open minds and hearts to diversity in cultures, races, religions and social interaction. This kind of motivational and global instruction is key to challenging and channeling student learning.”
Exemplary second language programs are recognized by the DOE every two years. During that time, current designees serve as resource centers for other districts.
Educators can visit the schools to observe exemplary practices in second language teaching, learning and assessment in the classroom, according to the release. Administrators and teachers also will be able to discuss issues of mutual concern with staff from the centers, as well as have the potential for collaboration on their second language programs.
