The Benefits of Dual Language Immersion (DLI):

CVUSD Enrollment Procedures for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) at Conejo Elementary

Background:

A successful DLI program consists of students who create language models for one another.  The opportunity to engage with a classmate whose primary language differs from their own will strengthen and deepen the second language acquisition process and development.  Therefore, enrollment in the DLI kindergarten classrooms at Conejo Elementary for the 2022-2023 school year will be made up of approximately 40 students, split between English-only students, Spanish-only students and students who are established English-Spanish bilingual, to the extent possible.  Therefore, enrollment in DLI will require a few steps to ensure the classes are made up of language balance among the students.  

To develop the skills to become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural, one school year is insufficient.  Therefore, CVUSD is seeking at least a six year commitment from parents/guardians to enroll in the DLI kindergarten classes at Conejo Elementary School beginning August 2022.

Enrollment Procedures for Conejo Elementary Neighborhood Students:

• (October 2021 to March 2022): Parents/Guardians are strongly encouraged to attend a DLI informational presentation before enrolling their child in the DLI program.  A recording of this presentation is available at the CVUSD DLI website.
• (Beginning 1/18/22): Complete the online “pre-enrollment” process for your Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten student at Conejo Elementary.  If you require assistance, please feel free to contact Conejo Elementary School’s main office at 805-495-7058, and/or go in person, the address is 280 N. Conejo School Road, Thousand Oaks, CA  91362.
• (Ongoing) Finalize enrollment by providing all student documents to Conejo Elementary School.
• (Late April - May) Assess students in both languages.  To ensure the required balance of peer language models, a primary language proficiency interview with your child will be scheduled and completed. Teachers will contact parents/guardians to schedule an appointment. 
  • Students will be assessed in both languages
  • Parents/Guardians will fill out a survey while they wait
• (Late May 2022): CVUSD notifies you, via email, of final enrollment. All parent(s)/guardian(s) will attend a DLI presentation/commitment meeting and will sign a commitment contract at the end of the presentation.

Enrollment Procedures for CVUSD School Choice (Conejo Elementary is not your neighborhood school, yet your child does reside within CVUSD boundaries):

• (October 2021 to March 2022): Parents/Guardians are strongly encouraged to attend a DLI informational presentation before enrolling their child in the DLI program.  A recording of this presentation is available at the CVUSD DLI website.
• (Beginning Nov. 1, 2021): Complete the online CVUSD School Choice Application for your Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten age student and select “Dual Language Immersion Program” as primary school choice.
• (March 2022): Receive pre-approval for DLI based on the initial School Choice lottery
• (March-April 2022): Complete the online “pre-enrollment” process for your Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten student at Conejo Elementary.  If you require assistance, please feel free to contact Conejo Elementary School’s main office at 805-495-7058, and/or go in person, the address is 280 N. Conejo School Road, Thousand Oaks, CA  91362.
• (Ongoing) Finalize enrollment by providing all student documents to Conejo Elementary School.
• (Late April - Early May) Assess students in both languages.  To ensure the required balance of peer language models, a primary language proficiency interview with your child will be scheduled and completed. Teachers will contact parent(s)/guardian(s) to schedule an appointment.
  • Students will be assessed in both languages
  • Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will fill out a survey while they wait
• (Late May 2022): CVUSD notifies you, via email, of final enrollment. All parent(s)/guardian(s) will attend a DLI presentation/commitment meeting and will sign a commitment contract at the end of the presentation.

Enrollment Procedures for Interdistrict (does not reside within CVUSD boundaries) School Choice:  

• (October 2021 to March 2022): Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are strongly encouraged to attend a DLI informational presentation before enrolling their child in the DLI program.  A recording of this presentation is available at the CVUSD DLI website.
• Families who reside outside of CVUSD boundaries and wish for their student(s) to attend a CVUSD school will need to complete an Interdistrict Transfer Agreement form. This form must be obtained from and submitted to your district of residence for approval (the form may vary based on your district of residence) Please visit our Enroll CVUSD/Interdistrict Transfer webpage for further information.
• (November 1, 2021); Interdistrict applications will be accepted beginning November 1, 2021, through January 31, 2022 to be considered on time.
• (April 1, 2022): Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will receive notification on results of interdistrict-transfer request based on availability in program
• (April-May 2022): If approved, complete the online “pre-enrollment” process for your Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten student at Conejo Elementary.  If you require assistance, please feel free to contact Conejo Elementary School’s main office at 805-495-7058, and/or go in person, the address is 280 N. Conejo School Road, Thousand Oaks, CA  91362.
• (Ongoing) Finalize enrollment by providing all student documents to Conejo Elementary School.
• (Late April - Early May) Assess students in both languages.  To ensure the required balance of peer language models, a primary language proficiency interview with your child will be scheduled and completed. Teachers will contact parents to schedule an appointment.
  • Students will be assessed in both languages
  • Parents will fill out a survey while they wait
• (Late May 2022): (Late May 2022): CVUSD notifies you, via email, of final enrollment. All parent(s)/guardian(s) will attend a DLI presentation/commitment meeting and will sign a commitment contract at the end of the presentation.

Parent/Guardian Information Session - Webinar Recording

This recording covers the following topics:

• What is DLI and what does this mean for my child beyond Kindergarten? What does a typical instructional day look like in a DLI program?
• Parent/guardian supports to assist you in supporting your child as they become bilingual.  Additional opportunities beyond DLI for your child at Conejo Elementary.
• Supporting students with disabilities to access DLI. Hear from parents who enrolled their child in a DLI program.
• Enrollment process and years-long commitment

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presentación en español 

Learn More About the Benefits of DLI from Dr. Ricardo Araiza

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Program Structure - Our 50/50 Model

The Dual Language Immersion Program will follow a 50/50 model, meaning that half of a student's instruction time is in English and half is in Spanish. At each grade level, the amount of instruction time in English and in Spanish remains the same (50/50) and is considered a "simultaneous literacy" model, as developing literacy in Spanish and English are focused on simultaneously. The 50/50 model requires a closely aligned curricular program where instruction in key content areas, such as language arts and math, so that the skills are not retaught in both languages, but rather are built upon in each language.

*Language of instruction for subject matter may change based on curriculum availability and new program recommendations

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs have been in existence for several decades. There continues to be a growing number of research studies and program evaluations that look at different aspects of dual language immersion programs. These studies continue to confirm that when implemented appropriately, DLI programs provide academic and language outcomes that are not just positive but transformative to our students. 

Below is a list of resources and websites that provide more detailed information about Dual Language Immersion programs:

Books that Detail the Benefits of DLI

• Baker, C. A Parents’ and Teachers’ Guide to Bilingualism (3rd Ed)
• Baker, C. Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (5th ed.). Bristol, UK; Multilingual Matters (2011)
• Lindholm, Kathy. Biliteracy for a Global Society: An Idea Book on Dual Language Education by the National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education. www.ncela.gwu.edu (2000)
• Lindholm-Leary, K.J. (2001) Dual language education. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters
• Zelasco, Nancy and Antunez, Beth. If Your Child Learns in Two Languages by. National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education. 

DLI Resources for Educators

• Boyle, A., August, D., Tabaku, L, Cole, S., and Simpson-Baird, A. (2015). Dual Language Education Programs: Current State Policies and Practices. Washington, DC: American Institutes for Research. Available at: https://ncela.ed.gov/files/rcd/TO20_DualLanguageRpt_508.pdf
• Christian, D., Montone, C., Lindholm, K and Carranza, I. Profiles in Two-Way Immersion Education (1997).
• Cloud, N., Genesee, F., Hamayan, E. and Heinle and Heinle. Dual language Instruction - A Handbook for Enriched Education: by. ISBN number = 083848801-3
• Howard, E.R., Lindholm-Leary, K.J., Sugarman, J., Christian, D., & Rogers, D. (2007). Guiding principles for dual language education. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Linguistics. 
• Tinajero, Josefina and DeVillar, Robert. The Power of Two Languages 2000: Effective Dual Languages Use Across the Curriculum (eds.) McGraw Hill.

The Benefits of DLI - Articles

• Adesope, Olusola O., Lavin, Tracy, Thompson, Terri and Ungerleider, Charles. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Cognitive Correlates of Bilingualism. Review of Educational Research June 2010, Vol. 80, No. 2, pp. 207–245 DOI: 10.3102/0034654310368803
  https://www.albany.edu/~mm924921/Adesope%20et%20al.pdf
• Collier, V., & Thomas, W. (2004). The Astounding Effectiveness of Dual Language Education for All. NABE Journal of Research and Practice, 2(1) 1-20. Available at:
  http://www.berkeleyschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/TWIAstounding_Effectiveness_Dual_Language_Ed.pdf?864d7e
• Genesee et al., 2006; Thomas and Collier (2002) ELs and native English speakers in dual immersion programs do as well or better than their peers in other program models
  https://www.berkeleyschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/TWIAstounding_Effectiveness_Dual_Language_Ed.pdf?864d7e
• Genesee et al., 2006; Thomas and Collier, 2002; Snipes, Soga, & Uro, 2007; August & Shanahan (2006) Primary language instruction in EL programs promotes higher level of reading in English.
  https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d854ac170e64a71d1de71d3/t/5d9dec6cd0d7fe7464732604/1570630785587/vpcwptchapter-in-theoharis-book_edit-1.pdf
• Rumbaut, Rubén G., English Plus: Exploring the Socioeconomic Benefits of Bilingualism in Southern California. In Callahan, R.M. & Gándara, P.C., eds., The Bilingual Advantage: Language, Literacy, and the Labor Market. Multilingual Matters: Clevedon, U.K., 2014.
  https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2440950

Websites of Interest

• National Association of Bilingual Education
• California Association for Bilingual Education
• National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition
• Center for Research on Education, Diversity and Excellence
• Center for Applied Linguistics
• https://www.thomasandcollier.com/
• https://www.cal.org/resource-center/publications-products/guiding-principles-3
• https://www.cal.org/ndlf/resources/
• www.californianstogether.org
• www.sdcoe.net/lls/english-learner/Pages/current-research.aspx

Click here to submit a question

Ricardo Araiza, Ed.D.
Director, Multilingual Learners and Equity
(805) 497-9511 x3351
Email Dr. Araiza

Dena Sellers, Ed.D.
Director, Elementary Education
(805) 497-9511 x1211
Email Dr. Sellers

Erica Ultreras
Principal, Conejo Elementary School
(805) 495-7058
Email Ms. Ultreras

Shanna M. Egans, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Student Services
(805) 497-9511 x2302
Email Dr. Egans

Kenny Loo
Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services
(805) 497-9511 x1202
Email Mr. Loo