CONROE, Texas – Conroe ISD has decided to keep the district’s dual language program.
Conroe ISD Superintendent Dr. Curtis Null announced that the agenda item was being pulled before it went to a vote.
The decision by Null led to an ovation in the audience when it was announced.
The program was being looked at to possibly be discontinued with the district citing lower enrollment, teacher shortages, and budget concerns as a reason for the potential.
Tuesday’s Board Meeting
Over 80 parents showed up to the meeting Tuesday night, expressing frustration over what they call a lack of transparency in the district’s plan to phase out the program.
Following executive session, Conroe ISD Superintendent Dr. Curtis Null announced the item had been pulled before going to a vote.
While the recommendation for discontinuing the program was pulled, Null emphasized there are problems within the program that needs to be fixed.
“There’s a reason, this does not come out of nowhere that we’re having this conversation, okay, this is real, we have problems within this program that we have to fix or we will be back here at some point,” Null said.
Background and Impact of the Program
The dual language program in Conroe ISD has been a key educational initiative that promotes bilingualism by pairing Spanish-speaking students with English-speaking students. The program benefits families by fostering cultural exchange and language skills.
The Concerns
Recently, rumors about the program’s possible removal began circulating when the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees published an agenda item mentioning the discontinuation of the program. Parents, like Maria, were alarmed when they found out through informal channels rather than direct communication from the school district.
Maria shared, “We were not informed about this change. It was upsetting to hear about the program’s possible end without having a chance to discuss it or understand the reasons behind it.”
The Benefits of Dual Language Education
The dual language program has provided several benefits to students and the community, including:
- Bilingualism, which enhances students’ lifelong earning potential.
- Cultural engagement through community events.
- Improved academic performance, with many students advancing to gifted and talented programs.
Mike, another parent, explains, “It’s not just about learning a second language. It’s about learning how to learn and becoming better problem solvers.”
The Financial Debate
While the district claims that removing the program would save $1.2 million, parents have questioned the accuracy of these numbers, arguing that the real financial impact may be much smaller. Mike, who started an online petition, says, “The numbers don’t add up. There’s more to this decision, and we need transparency.”
Community Response
In response to the potential program cuts, parents launched petitions and mobilized to protect the program. Within hours, Mike’s petition garnered over 1,200 signatures. He believes the district’s decision lacks proper community input, stating, “There’s been no communication with parents or teachers. We need a voice in decisions that impact our children’s future.”
Conroe ISD’s Statement on Dual Language Program
Conroe ISD provided insight into the decision to reconsider the continuation of its Two-Way Immersion Dual Language Program. The district explained the program’s structure and the challenges it faces:
“Conroe ISD’s Two-Way Immersion Dual Language Program, an enrichment offering, is currently available at seven campuses across the district. This version of a Dual Language Program establishes classroom cohorts in kindergarten that are comprised 50% of students who speak English as a first language and 50% of students who speak Spanish as a first language. These students learn not only academic content but also become fluent in both languages as they progress through the elementary grades. Over the years, district administration has made several adjustments in an attempt to increase this program’s overall success and participation. However, enrollment continues to decline beginning in the third grade.
In analyzing staffing issues directly and indirectly related to the Two-Way Immersion Dual Language Program, there has been an increased number of vacancies for bilingual teachers across the district that go unfilled or filled with emergency-permitted teachers. Because the Two-Way Immersion Dual Language Program requires more bilingual staff, these teachers could fill some of those bilingual teacher vacancies. Due to these reasons and the potential to save $1.2 million as we work toward achieving a balanced budget, district administration has made the difficult decision to recommend sunsetting the program.”
