Keep in mind, even if you love your kids’ current school, have plans to go to a different school, live far away, or don’t have children, your support for the idea of dual language in public schools is absolutely important. Please take just a moment to put your name in the comment section of this post to show support for ACS at the upcoming meeting with the Committee on School Initiatives of the State Board of Education (SBOE).
Thank you very much.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Cheris Lifford, Board Member
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Claire Walpole, parent
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
a dual language school is extremely important!
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Jessica Grogan
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
This has my support.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
My nearly 3 year-old daughter is being raised in a bilingual-bicultural home and I would love to have the opportunity to send her to a dual-language school in a few years. It is foolish to think that safeguarding monolingualism, rather than actively promoting bilingualism, is anything but a detriment to a “real” education. It’s about time Austin!
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Marnie Binfield shows her support.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
In a city with the demographics and geographical location of Austin, this is a crucial need. Once my children leave their dual-language preschool, their local options for public school that will continue their multicultural education are very limited. I am 100% behind this idea!
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Rachelle Adams supports dual language in public schools!!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Justin Burke, father of 3 children, supports dual language schools!
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Rob Lifford, parent
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
We support a dual-language school as well!
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Mother of one; definitely supports!
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
educator, who find this very important
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Yes, give more kids the opportunity to grow up bilingual!
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
My husband is from Canada, with many relatives in Quebec. All of them were raised in bilingual schools and easily speak French, English and often a third language. I am frustrated that despite the evidence that spanish will be critical to our children’s success in the future, our school system has not embraced more submersive techniques. I want the best for my kids and my community. Learning and embracing both languages is best for all.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Yes, yes, yes! Dual-language programs offer kids such an advantage.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I completely support this! So necessary.
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Parent in support of dual language in public schools.
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
This is an important idea!
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Rachel Page – Mother of one – I support dual language programs in schools!
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Cheri Hartman, parent
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I support dual language learning!
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I think this type of school should have been offered years ago! I totally support this idea for education.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Susan Alexander/Wilson
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Yes, I will do everything that I can to make sure this school is a success. I am an educator in AISD and mother of 2 bilingual children.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Austin needs this as an option!
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Absolutely! Someday soon we’ll be living in a dual-language country (as if we don’t already). It’s crucial that we keep growing as our nation grows.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I support the dual language in public school.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:59 pm
long overdue
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Absolutely. Count me in!
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 pm
You bet I support this!
August 23rd, 2008 at 10:35 am
I STRONGLY support this and will continue to support it as it moves forward. Definitely long overdue in this city!
August 23rd, 2008 at 10:52 am
Adding my support!
August 23rd, 2008 at 11:49 am
This type of school is LONG overdue in Austin. Please give our children the benefit of multilingualism. Please register my strong support for ACS.
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
This type of school is definitely needed in Austin.
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:11 pm
We live in Texas! Dual language is a must and lack of dual language is harming our kids, who should grow up bilingual.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:19 am
Such a need in Austin!!
August 24th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Having multiple languages is such stimulating development for a child and passports for cultural enlightenment and success in the international community.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Absolutely a must!
August 24th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Supporter of dual language and optional education programs.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I support this!
August 25th, 2008 at 4:45 am
Yes! America needs desperately to catch up in education.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:52 am
I support this!
August 25th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
My nephews attend a dual language school in Houston and I would love for my daughter to have the same opportunity.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
adam stevenson
August 25th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Parent in support of dual language in public schools.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:50 am
yes please!
August 26th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Immersion programs make the most sense when it comes to learning a foreign language, and the younger the student the better. Best of luck!!
August 27th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Do it.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Providing dual-language options for children is key to promoting their success in a global economy – and we want Austin to be a part of that!
August 27th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Please allow this charter school to go forward. It is important to have options for our children, as it helps foster creativity and diversity.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:38 am
We STRONGLY support ACS and dual-language education, in general. As residents of Texas and Mexico, we are raising our daughter in a bilingual-bicultural environment because we believe it is one of the best gifts we can give her for the future that we all share. We hope that more children in Austin will be able to enjoy this important education at a critical, young age.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Parent in support of dual language in public schools.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Dual language education is too valuable to be simply dismissed. I support this initiative.
August 27th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I hope to be able send my children to this school.
August 27th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I support dual language education!
August 27th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I support dual language learning! It opens a new world of possibilities.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I strongly support a dual-language school in Austin! Really, there should be a number of them here already, so let’s get with it!
August 27th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I believe in Dual Language, I have seen it done; it’s an AWESOME experience that all should have the opportunity to have!
August 27th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Apoyo este esfuerzo que seria muy beneficioso a nuestra ciudad y población de Austin.
I support this endeavor which would be extremely beneficial to our city and it’s population.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
It is a shame that a city as progressive as Austin claims to be does not have a public dual language school.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
As a language teacher, I greatly support the creation of a dual language school.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I strongly support this initiative.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Dual Language Programs are the strongest bilingual programs. It’s time to embrace what works. I fully support this initiative and would love to be part of this school.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Parent and Bilingual Reading Specialist in A.I.S.D. begging for a dual language school
August 27th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
As bilingual myself and as a future mother of bilingual kids, I believe Austin needs this school.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
This school would be perfect for my bilingual children and I fully support the initiative!
August 27th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I absolutely support this initiative.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Having grown up bilingual in Texas, I know the importance of supporting children growing up under these circumstances. This initiative represents the potential for social change toward great acceptance of those coming from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
it’s an absolute travesty that we don’t have dual language programs in austin schools. this is a long overdue initiative. we need more progressive educational policies like these that reflect and support the cultural diversity of this city.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
What a great benefit to our community and our children!
August 28th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Austin needs a public dual language school. I support this initiative!
August 28th, 2008 at 5:49 am
A dual language school is long overdue in Austin. I support multilingual education and would like Austin’s children to benefit from such an resource.
August 28th, 2008 at 6:00 am
We definitely need dual language schools in Austin! In a global economy, our local schools cannot afford to ignore the importance of fluency in multiple languages.
August 28th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Megan Stevenson
August 28th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Mary Margaret Dowdy
August 28th, 2008 at 7:53 am
We need this!!! Lets make it happen!
August 28th, 2008 at 8:06 am
For too long, we have looked at bilingual education in the wrong light, intending to ween children off Spanish and get them in English only classrooms by the 6th grade. This is wrong. Instead, we should be wanting to raise children who are educated in both languages. Spanish speaking children and English speaking children are a resource for each other in an environment where both languages are encouraged. Being monolingual in this globalized society is not a asset, rather it is a barrier to success. Let’s get bilingual!
August 28th, 2008 at 8:29 am
This is brilliant.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I have taught dual language and believe in the benefits for everyone. I support a dual language school in Austin.
He enseñado una clase de dos idiomas y he visto los beneficios para todos. Yo estoy de acuerdo con la idea de tener una escuela de dos idiomas aquí en Austin.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Great idea!
August 28th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I support dual-language learning!
August 28th, 2008 at 10:08 am
We need these programs !
August 28th, 2008 at 10:26 am
My 5 yr. old granddaughter is in a total immersion Spanish day care in California, and it is amazing how quickly she has learned Spanish. A dual language program would also be great!
August 28th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I support this idea that would be a wonderful addition to Austin.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:34 am
yes, i support!
August 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Having raised 3 children in such an environment, and having sent them off to study at great universities and to enter rewarding careers, I know the practical value of dual language schooling. Having worked in the same place, I know from former students how their lives were enriched culturally, emotionally,and intellectually. Go for it, ACS!
August 28th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
This is long overdue. As an educator, I fully support the development of this dual language charter school with an IB program here in Austin.
August 28th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I support this
August 28th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Great idea!
August 28th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
This is the way education needs to go in this country to make everyone more competitive globally AND to raise awareness of everyone who lives south of the USA border (all Latin America, not only Mexico); it was long overdue in a progressive city such as Austin.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
This is the best program out there. This is a program that ensures bilingualism for all students, not just minority students. With this goal, the stigma of bilingual education is lifted from students and schools. This is the only program that the research in bilingual education fully supports.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:53 am
If ever a city was ready for a dual-language school, it is Austin. There is such a hunger among English-speakers to learn Spanish, and among Spanish-speakers to learn English, and this is a way to meet both needs in an equitable way. Beyond the linguistic purposes, though, is the cultural one. Austin is a city of cultural and economic contrasts, and a well-run dual language school would be a way to bring communities together. I wish it all success!
August 29th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
We are definitely interested in this.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Yes, I support a dual language school in Austin.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I fully support this, and wish I had been given this opportunity as a child.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Our family has been hoping and waiting for a school like this.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I support a dual language school in Austin.
August 30th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
We need dual language here in Austin!
August 30th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I, too support a dual language school in Austin.
August 30th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
A dual language school in Austin would be a wonderful opportunity for students and the community.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:22 pm
As a grandparent and a former educator, I strongly support dual language education in the public schools. I believe that fostering bilingualism truly serves the educational needs of all children who live in a culturally diverse community. I also believe that dual language learners, as adults, may be better prepared to effectively participate in the life of that communtity.
August 31st, 2008 at 11:33 pm
This is a great opportunity for our students, families and communities. I definitely support the creation of a dual language school in Austin. I am very surprised we are still waiting in Austin for a school like this. I support this initiative.
September 1st, 2008 at 10:43 am
Teacher
September 1st, 2008 at 8:20 pm
As a teacher and as a mother of two young children, I believe in this cause!
September 1st, 2008 at 9:16 pm
What wonderful news for the Austin community- it is long overdue in our city.
Bilingual Curriculum Specialist
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:13 am
What a wonderful opportunity for this great city!
Austin can again demonstrate leadership as a tremendous place to live and raise a family. I enthusiastically support any and all efforts to provide a dual language school for the people of Austin.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I recently moved from an area which successfully offers dual language instruction in several languages. I hope Austin can begin with dual language schools which reflect the cultural and linguistic strengths which already exist here.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Dual langauge school is definitely necessary and exciting. This kind of school not only provides opportunities for people in Austin to learn more languages, but also creates opportunities for international friends who are really interested in teaching their native langauges here.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
As a mother and educator, I fully support Dual Language education.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
To be empowered knowing multiple languages will touch the lives of not only the students but it will also have that ripple effect to all of those around them.
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:21 am
Dual language is very important!
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:23 am
Please consider this as a workable and viable option for producing truly bi-lingual children in our schools. Studies show that dual language education is one of the only ways to do this.
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:54 am
I am a community member that looks forward to the possibility of my children attending a school that teaches both Spanish and English.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:14 am
In strong support of multilingual schooling.
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:22 am
Great idea and long overdue!
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
¡claro que sí! A schoól like Acs would also greatly benefit graduate students researching bilingual/bicultural ed.at ut.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:27 pm
This school is a must in our city and in the world today. We all need to think globally!
September 4th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
This school and others like it, will make multilingualism possible for a time when it will be necessary. And as a parent of a fully bilingual 4 yr old, I know that starting early is what makes it do-able.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Dual language is the best! You do not know what you are missing out in having bilingual individuals!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
We have been waiting for this and will be in line to sign our 2 boys up as soon as enrollment is open!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Great idea !
September 4th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
YES!
September 4th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
As a teacher and a mother of 4, I support dual language education.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
We are raising our children bilingually and we have noticed the great gift we have given them. Every family should have the opportunity of giving this gift to their children.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
knowing two languages is always better than one. it expands your mind!
September 5th, 2008 at 2:12 am
I would love to have dual language education in public schools.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:04 am
The future of our country depends on our ability to interact with the rest of the world. The future of Texas will afford the opportunities for promotion and job retention to those who are bilingual in the near future. As a non-Hispanic educator, I am convinced that we do all our students a disservice if we do not afford them the opportunity to be bilingual. We, so need a quality dual language option in Austin….in many languages, but starting with Spanish.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Mother of a 4 year old who would love to have a dual language school for her soon to be kindergartner.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
As a university professor I know the value of a second language to the cognitive development of any child. As a Canadian, I know the immense value of a bicultural and bilingual community. And as a mother, I want these opportunities for my children.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I believe that my ability to learn languages with relative ease is a direct result of the bilingual education I received at both the primary and secondary levels. Bilingualism enables a person to think outside the confines of one language and to be more open to new experiences. Austin would greatly benefit from a bilingual elementary.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I support!!
September 5th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Austin has been waiting for a school like this for way too long. Let’s support it.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Father of a 5 year-old and 2 year-old. Austin needs this option to join other cities at the forefront of multilingual education.
September 6th, 2008 at 2:29 am
I worked very hard with this projects and Yes I support Austin Community School because I know the value of a second language.
September 6th, 2008 at 2:56 am
I support!!
September 6th, 2008 at 4:41 am
We want the world for our children. Is there any better way to deliver it? I support multi-lingual education and the Austin Community School.
September 6th, 2008 at 7:32 am
We strongly support a dual language school in Austin!
September 6th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I firmly believe in the value of dual language education for the entire community, and I fully support having such a school in Austin. I think that it would be a wonderful addition and is much needed!
September 8th, 2008 at 9:12 am
I support the dual language school here in Austin.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I am an Assistant Principal in AISD and would definitely enroll my 3 children in this program.
September 8th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Austin has several French immersion programs but no Spanish options, yet our state borders Mexico and Spanish is widely spoken here. Spanish/English dual language education is imperative to our city’s cultural development!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Yes! We have 2 children that we would definitely send to a program like this.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I would love for my children to be able to correctly speack more than one language. This idea of perfection in only 1 language doesn’t make sense. It is a great idea & I support it 100%.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I strongly support this effort. ALL children need access to good, solid education at any cost.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I’ve been waiting for a school like this. My daughter will be able to enroll next fall when she’s 5! I support dual language education 100 percent.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
We are committed to raising our two children with the understanding that the would is filled with many wonderful and different cultures. A dual language education is the first step. We would support a program like this 100percent.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I strongly support this effort.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I support bi-lingual, IB programs like the Austin Community School.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
As a mother of a 3 1/2 year old and a 1 year old, I would love for them to attend a dual language school!
September 8th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Great idea!
September 8th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I support this effort!
September 8th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
As a nurse, I have seen the incredible need for multi-lingual people and professionals in many capacities. I hope our community will support this important concept.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I support and encourage others to support Dual Language instruction.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Such an advantage for all!!
September 8th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
My 4 yr daughter has been learning spanish from her American-Peruvian father, recorded PBS kids shows on the Spanish SAP channel and attended bilingual summer school.
I hope AISD will support bilingual education. I support Austin bilingual charter schools.
September 8th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I support this effort 100%!!!
September 8th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
As a parent who sent her children to a bilingual preschool and is currently placing one of her elementary school children in a bilingual classroom at the local public school (with much difficulty I might add), I absolutely support a bilingual charter school. In additon, I will be standing in line to sign my kids up.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I want to send my 2 children here!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Excellent! We need this school.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:06 am
I want to give my child the opportunity to compete successfully in the world. This ultimately means the ability to communicate with lots of different cultures. Young children learn languages easier than adults, so let’s give them that opportunity to learn.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:57 am
A wonderful idea that should be part of every child’s education.
September 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I support this great idea!
September 9th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
My 3 1/2 year old twins understand Spanish from their wonderful nanny…all children should be so lucky. I hope that they can continue this when they go to school…but they would need this type of environment.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Yes! Let’s have a dual language program in Austin. It’s about time that we have real choices in the education of our children. Bilingual programs where Spanish is set aside as early as possible are a sad thing to have in 2008! A dual language program where both languages are taught and mantained will be well received, there are many parents like us that believe this to be important to their children’s education.
September 9th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Enriching a child’s life with a great opportunity. How can we not do this? Long Overdue.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
It is costly and inefficient NOT to offer a lanuguage to our elementry school-aged children. And then to make it a middle-school requirement? That is shooting ourselves in the foot. Children are most able to retain language instruction at an EARLY AGE.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Children should be given every opportunity to be multilingual. By the time the children of today are adults, it will be a handicap if they are not due to a global marketplace. Thanks, Ellen Rossi
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Just what Austin needs!
January 12th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I am frustrated that my son, Luca, has a french mother and a peruvian father,who live in the Austin, TX and cannot find a pre-school where the 3 langauges are spoken. It is unbelievable USA. Wake up !
January 28th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Austin holds many “top 10″ spots in lists of best places to live in when it comes to quality of life, from environmentally-conscious to offering high-earning jobs. However, when it comes to education, Travis Co ranked 38 nationwide (Forbes 07). Not surprisingly, we don’t have a Dual Language and have only one IB school per level in AISD (I believe an unsuccessful DL program was dropped in 2003). ACS is a good place to start closing the gap. For the benefit of ALL Austin children, whether they come from bicultural/bilingual homes or not, this school MUST happen and AISD MUST follow! I hereby pledge my full support.
Moderators: My apologies for the multiple submissions. Please dismiss the previous ones.
February 13th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
The time has come for Austin leaders to listen to its citizens and provide such innovative programs to build students’ critical academic skills. All of society would benefit.
I read the comments about reducing high school dropout rates, which lead me to this board.
Because I care for my community, and as a Criminal Justice academician whose reviewed volumes of studies, the studies are clear: the earlier we invest in our children the greater the success. However, when a child enters & has been in the CJ system for years, spending taxpayer monies on rehab programs sadly proves to be too late for FAR too many youth.
Dear Board of Education, we must strive to enrich our childrens lives while the trustfulness of youth yet seeks our guidance.
April 28th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I would love the opportunity to teach in a dual language program in Austin.
August 7th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I am a teacher aspiring to find and be part of a dual language program. I don’t want to work in a private school because I believe in public education. I think it’s a shame that in Washington state and Minnesota where the Spanish-speaking population is much less than texas, you can easily find a Spanish immersion program and here you can’t. I hope we can open a dual language program here by the time I have kids.
Once we get dual language spanish. Let’s work toward other languages too. I’m qualified to teach in a dual language Mandarin program too! That would be wonderfully enriching to Austin!
December 16th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I hope this project is able to move forward. I would absolutely love for my children to be able to take advantage of such a great opportunity!
February 16th, 2010 at 5:18 am
Ican’t tell you how excited I ma about dual language programs in Austin. My famil currently lives overseas as my husband is active duty military but we own a home in Austin and hope to return in the near future. Our two sons are bilingual and I would love the opportunity for them to attend school in a dual language setting. Thanks for your hard work to make this a reality!