Models of Two-Way Bilingual Programs in Catholic Schools

• In Event: 64.089 - Sheraton Roundtable 12 - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 64.089-7 - Examining Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy and Practices in Catholic Schools

Abstract

Catholic education, with its philosophical focus on serving traditionally marginalized students--including immigrants with limited English proficiency--is uniquely poised to serve students from diverse backgrounds (Scanlan & Zehrback, 2010). Leaders from a network of Catholic schools from across the United States that are implementing two-way immersion education were interviewed regarding their curriculum models, the evolution of their models, and the integration of student assessment for program improvement. A grounded theory approach was used to explore some of the key themes that emerged from the data, including a commitment to bilingualism that includes full cultural immersion; two-way immersion programs with unique Catholic features; and challenges in using summative assessments. Recommendations for best practices in two-way immersion model implementation are discussed.

Authors

• Myra Rosen-Reynoso, Boston College

• Melodie Wyttenbach, Boston College

• Mary Bridget Burns, Boston College

• Zhongfeng Tian, Boston College