PASCO, Wash. – According to the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction for Pasco School District Carla Lobos, Pasco has the largest dual language program in the state.
According to the district, all 17 elementary schools now have a dual language program. Lobos said dual language is an additive program. Meaning, whether the student’s first language is Spanish or English, they don’t have to let go of their native tongue.
“The goals of dual language are the three pillars we refer to and that’s bilingualism, biliteracy, high academic achievement and socio-cultural competence,” said Lobos. “That’s for all students participating in the program regardless of their background or home language.”
Lobos added that the program invites English-speaking students. Parents are given an interest form in Kindergarten and first grade where they are then put on a list because of how appealing the program is.
Lobos said that past dual language students and now college graduates have returned to PSD to teach in dual language classrooms.
