Two-way immersion program in South Lake Tahoe hits milestone

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a long, hard-fought effort to get it done, but the determination of Kathy Haven and a group of dedicated parents in 2006 has brought the two-way immersion (TWI) program at Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) its first group of 13-year students and graduates.

Starting in 2007, 20 students enrolled in the very first kindergarten TWI class at Bijou Elementary and that group of students will be graduating from South Tahoe High School at the end of the week. They have had 13 years of school taught in both Spanish and English.

Two-way immersion education has been in existence in the United States for 50 years, but its growth in popularity is a more recent phenomenon. Haven and the parents started researching and traveling to Kings Beach to investigate the North Shore program. From August to December of 2006, they met weekly together, and with staff and administrators to get the program rolling.

"It was a true community effort," said Haven.

In January 2007 things started to gain community attention. There were a couple of nay-sayers but an overwhelming amount of support.

They then brought their research to an LTUSD board meeting that was held at Bijou Elementary due to the size of the crowd. One hundred people filled the room to hear about the new program proposition. TWI was approved in March and plans in place by April for the 2007-08 school year.

Those gathered learned of the 90/10 plan for the new TWI program - In kindergarten they learn 90 percent of the time in Spanish/10 percent in English, changing the ratio each year until fifth grade when it is 50-50. Once in middle and high school, students are expected to complete 25 percent of their homework in Spanish, 75 percent in English.

This split between the two is meant to increase fluency and literacy in both languages to cultivate contributing bilingual and bi-literate adults.

"The blessing of TWI is the cultural part," said Haven about the immersion program giving so much more than language skills.

Haven said they worked hard to create the program that also highlights volunteerism. Parents involved in TWI must commit to volunteering not only in their student's classroom but also in a school-wide effort. Haven said this component equalizes all participants with their combined and equal efforts creating a positive and nurturing school environment.

She has created a PowerPoint presentation for each of those first 20 students and their parents for graduation, celebrating their 13 years in the TWI program.

There are now over 700 TWI students in LTUSD, with Bijou Elementary phasing out all English-only classes and becoming 100 percent TWI. To get into TWI families must enter a lottery. This year 100 applied with 66 (two classes of 33) being accepted.

"It's a pretty amazing level of commitment. The District has supported families and stayed committed," Haven added. There are only 20 K-12 TWI programs in the country, and it is thanks to those first parents and educators that LTUSD is one of them.

A planned new student tutoring program will take the successes of TWI a step further. They will match those entering the District from a Spanish-speaking country with one of the TWI students. The TWI student goes to classes with the new students, translates, and helps them transition.

"Our TWI students speak and read Spanish like a native," said Haven.

"I want to put out a thank you to the families for staying with the program," said Haven.

For more information on TWI in LTUSD, visit http://www.tahoetwowayimmersion.com/.