Historically, Utah has been a leader in recognizing the language-learning ability of children. Cherry Hill Elementary in Orem, for example, has taught math, reading, science and other subjects in Spanish as a way to teach the language to native English speakers since 1974. Utah is not the only state that has discovered the value of such programs. There are more than 250 dual-immersion programs across the United States. These programs are not new or experimental, but have been running successfully for years.
Dual immersion is a program design specifically listed as eligible for federal Title VII grants.
These federal dollars could be used in Utah schools for planning and implementing additional dual- immersion programs. Extensive research has been done on dual-immersion programs. Dual-immersion students end up in high school with English reading scores at or above the level of native English speakers. In contrast, traditional English immersion students by high school are scoring in the bottom 20 to 30 percent on English tests. As we evaluate our educational programs in light of demographic changes, we need to be sure to look at long-term research and programs that have been shown to lead to improved English scores throughout a student's academic career.