Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools FLES Proposal

Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools (FLES) Proposal Sharon Public Schools: January 21, 2015 * 1

Overview • • • * FLES guiding principles, vision and process FLES curriculum & research FLES timeline and class schedule Budget implications Foreign language articulation Next steps 2

Guiding Principles of MA. Frameworks • All students should become proficient in at least one language other than English. • Language acquisition is a life-long process. • Effective FL programs integrate culture and create natural links to other disciplines. • Assessment of student learning is an integral component of FL instruction. * 3

FLES Proposal addresses FL Curriculum Review (2012), SPS Strategic Plan, (2012 -2017) and Guiding Principles of MA. Frameworks • Expand FL opportunities at the elementary level • Help students achieve FL proficiency by grade 12 • Create programs consistent with world-readiness standards for learning languages * 4

FLES Vision *

VISION § The FLES program will be part of an integrated and research-based language arts program. § Sharon educators understand the term language arts to include ALL language, including a foreign or second language. § Language learning is a life-long process. *

Vision continues Students in the FLES program will: • Enhance their interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication skills. • Use the target language to investigate, evaluate, and reflect on cultural practices through compare and contrast. • Use the target language beyond the classroom to collaborate with diverse cultures and engage in responsible global citizenship. *

Process • FLES Committee reviewed literature on successful FLES programs and implementation. • FLES Committee visited local FLES Programs in Brookline, Dover-Sherborn, and Holliston. • FLES Committee proposed requirements of an SPS FLES Program. • Elementary principals, Asst. Supt. and FL Coord. created prototypes of classroom teacher and FLES teacher schedules along with necessary budget. *

FL Research & Curriculum *

Need for Early, Continued, and Integrated FL Instruction • The window for acquiring a FL is highest between birth and age six and declines successively. • Early and continued FL instruction provides cognitive, academic and sociocultural benefits. • Students studying a FL outperform students with no FL instruction in core subjects and standardized tests. • Effective FL programs integrate culture and create natural links to other disciplines.

FLES Program Implementation • • Gr. 1 -3 minimum 20 min. 3 times a week Gr. 4 -5 minimum 30 min. 3 times a week FLES teachers certified in FL and Elem. Ed. Clear benchmarks for student proficiency and outcomes at each grade

FLES Timeline and Schedules *

Timeline for Rollout • • 2015 -2016: FLES Gr. 1, 2; FLEX Gr. 5 2016 -2017: FLES Gr. 1, 2, 3; FLEX Gr. 5 2017 -2018: FLES Gr. 1, 2, 3, 4; FLEX Gr. 5 2018 -2019: Full FLES Implementation Gr. 1 - 5; Advanced FL class in 6 th grade; curriculum development for advanced classes continues *

What do grade 1 & 2 FLES schedules look like? * 14

Grade 1 teacher’s sample schedule * 15

Grade 2 teacher’s sample schedule * 16

WHAT DO GRADE 3 & 4 FLES SCHEDULES LOOK LIKE?

Grade 3 teacher’s sample schedule *

Grade 4 teacher’s sample schedule * 19

Grades 3 & 4 • 1 st-3 rd grade students will receive 20 minutes of FLES instruction three days a week (60 minutes per week) • 4 th grade students will receive 30 minutes of FLES instruction three days a week (90 minutes per week) *

Grade 5 • 2018 -2019 Transition from FLEX to FLES: – No additional cost – Reconfiguration of faculty to reflect 4. 5 FTE model – In addition to FLES, grade 5 students will receive exposure to other district foreign languages via community education, SMS, and SHS staff presentations

FLES Budget Implications: please reference excel sheet *

FLES Articulation *

SPS students will be able to study one FL for 12 years increasing the potential to achieve proficiency • All students study one language grade 1 -5. • Students may continue with the same language or switch to another language in 6 th grade. • Students may continue with the same language or switch to another language in 9 th grade. *

Possible Grade 1 -12 Grade 1 -5 FL #1 Grade 6 -8 FL #2 Grade 9 -12 FL#1 Grade 9 -12 FL #2 Grade 9 -12 FL #3 12 total years FL 7 total years FL 2 to 4 total years FL (2 year graduation requirement) o “. . only about 15% of students reach a proficiency level near Intermediate-Mid even after approximately 720 hours of study, which is about four years in a typical high school program. ” (CASLS, 2010) (Romance Language) o Mandarin Chinese at least double number of hours to reach same level *

Elementary Parent Survey Results Survey question • I believe it is necessary to be proficient in a foreign language in order to succeed in the 21 st century global economy. Survey responses • • • Strongly Agree: 66% ( N=120) Agree: 24% (N=44) Disagree: 5% (N=9) Strongly Disagree: 3% (N=3) Unsure: 6% (N=6) Total N=180

Middle School Parent Survey Results Survey question • I believe it is necessary to be proficient in a foreign language in order to succeed in the 21 st century global economy. Survey responses • • • Strongly Agree: 50% ( N=70) Agree: 29% (N=41) Disagree: 13% (N=18) Strongly Disagree: 1% (N=2) Unsure: 6% (N=9) Total N=140

High School Parent Survey Results Survey question • I believe it is necessary to be proficient in a foreign language in order to succeed in the 21 st century global economy. Survey responses • • • Strongly Agree: 55% ( N=81) Agree: 26% (N=38) Disagree: 13% (N=19) Strongly Disagree: 2% (N=3) Unsure: 5% (N=7) Total N=148

Middle School Parent Survey Results Survey question Survey result • Based on your child’s experience as you see it, please rank order your top three concerns about the Foreign Language program in Sharon Public Schools. • 53% of parents ranked this as their top concern • 19% of parents ranked this as their 2 nd concern • 14% of parents ranked this as their 3 rd concern

High school Survey Results Survey question Survey result • Based on your child’s experience as you see it, please rank order your top three concerns about the Foreign Language program in Sharon Public Schools. • 63% of parents ranked this as their top concern • 25% of parents ranked this as their 2 nd concern • 6% of parents ranked this as their 3 rd concern

Next steps • School committee’s approval of FLES program will set in motion: § Survey development for selection of FLES language. § Community meetings with PTO and school council members to promote the FLES vision. § Hire FLES facilitator and teachers. § Plan summer FL curriculum development. § Commitment to FL instruction in the SPS.

Questions or Comments *