English and Spanish dual-language classes flourish in El Paso, other Texas districts

All of McGee's students speak English fluently, but half of the school day the class switches to Spanish as part of the El Paso Independent School District's pioneering dual-language program . The district is the first in the nation to offer dual-language classes to all public school students from kindergarten through second grade. The plan is to expand and eventually be in all grade levels through high school.

Dual-language programs are growing in both public and private schools across the country to meet the needs of a more diverse student body and demand by more parents who want to prepare their children for jobs that require bilingual skills. In Dallas-Fort Worth, Dallas ISD recently expanded its dual-language program.  Irving ISD recentlygraduated its first class of 10-year dual-language students. 

It comes as a growing body of research and El Paso's own results show students benefit from dual-language classes.