DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM MAY COME TO LOGAN ELEMENTARY IN ECHO PARK

The second of two informational meetings about the possibility took place at 5:30 p.m. last Friday.

smf: While this went down, Logan’s charter co-location partner apparently continued to misbehave.

By Anthea Raymond Echo Park patch | http://bit.ly/pEd2vC

 August 26, 2011 - Parents and kids heard Friday morning about dual language instruction in English and Spanish that could begin this school year at Logan Street Elementary School.

<<Judy Iguina and Cheryl Ortega

Judy Iguina, a expert from LAUSD, was on hand to outline the benefits of the program and how it might work.

Iguina plans to be a similar meeting Friday night at 5:30 p.m, also in the Logan auditorium.

DUAL LANGUAGE STUDENTS LEARN IN TWO LANGUAGES

According to materials presented at the meeting, "dual language" is an umbrella term for various programs in which students are taught literacy and content in two languages.

Class time is split between the two languages. Bilingualism and biliteracy are goals.

At Logan, at least one class of at least 20 kindergarten students must be recruited to launch the program, which would be a Spanish-English track. Plans call for at least 8 English speakers in the mix.

Martha Medina, who currently teaches kindergarten, at Logan, would head the class.

DOZENS OF DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN LAUSD

Cheryl Ortega, UTLA’s bilingual education director, said 44 dual language programs exist within LAUSD, including one at Aldama Elementary School in Highland Park. Ortega says it was initiated by parents who saw the benefits of biliteracy for their children.

It is believed that dual language education works best with a stable student population with a low attrition or transiency rate. Ortega says that makes the area around Logan--with its mixed population--ideal.

LOGAN PRINCIPAL WISHES HE'D HAD THIS CHANCE

Logan principal Luis Ochoa was born in Mexico and didn’t learn English until he was 15.

He sees the dual language track as a great chance for children to learn another language at a young age.

“I never got rid of my accent, “ he said.

“Logan is on the rise," he added. "Our API scores have moved 50 points in two years. Our goal is to move 40 more points this year”

See if you live in the Logan school neighborhood by using the LAUSD School Tracker tool.

If you live outside the area you can also make an Intra-District Permit Application. Go to the Logan School main office during business hours.