Dual Language Immersion (DLI) educational programming began in Utah in 2008. Within three short years, DLI programs in Utah schools had grown from 5 to 58 programs statewide. Presently, Utah now has over 301 DLI programs, including instruction in Spanish, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, and German. DLI programs have many benefits and have attracted many student families. However, not much research has been done on program planning, implementation, and the sustainability of DLI programs within individual school cultures and climates. This study will examine the satisfaction level of faculty, staff, administrators, and parents at DLI schools (including how supported/understood each of these groups feels if issues arise), how the presence of a DLI program affects a school (e.g. culture, special needs, relationships), and if there are any barriers to sustainability of DLI programs in Utah schools. A survey of perceptions among parents and educators, including administrators, was offered state-wide. Quantitative results were analyzed in aggregate and analyzed according to descriptive statistics. Results were used to inform a better framework for program planning, implementation, and sustainability of DLI programs in Utah schools.

A considerable amount of research has been done surrounding education in classrooms from kindergarten to Grade 12, but little research has been done surrounding early childhood education (ECE) beginning with birth to age 4. As a result, research is needed that examines interventions aimed to improve the quality of early childhood education for young bilingual learners at the earliest stages of schooling. The present study examines current efforts to serve the specific population of young bilingual children entering classrooms in an urban school district in North Texas. The focus of this study includes the access and examination of quality ECE programs (defined by the extent to which bilingual children have access to bilingual education programming). The present study also observes the visibility of young bilingual children who receive services that are responsive to their characteristics, experiences, and specific needs. Lastly, this study used a multiple regression analysis to examine the Kindergarten Early Assessment test that has been put in place to measure the school readiness performance of bilingual children in this urban district. Specifically, the analysis included program type, language of assessment, socio-economic status and gender variables.

Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been used to help predict and explain human behavior in specific situations. According to the TPB model, behavior is based on behavioral intention and the three determinants to behavioral intention include attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. According to TPB, perceived behavioral control moderates the effect of behavioral intentions on behavior. Previous research has focused on the application of TPB to health behaviors, although some research has been done in educational situations. In addition, dual language immersion (DLI) programs are increasing in popularity, particularly in Utah. The Utah model begins in first grade, and follows a 50/50 model. Because of its researched based program, Utah has become a recognized leader in the field of DLI through its focus on sufficient instruction time, active cognitive engagement, motivation, continuity of learning, and cultural interaction. However, little is known about the factors that motivate parents to enroll their children in DLI. The current study uses longitudinal survey methodology to evaluate how the TPB applies to parents’ intentions and behavior of enrollment in DLI (N = 74). Approximately one third of participants took steps towards enrollment. Results indicate that parental attitudes significantly influenced behavioral intentions to enroll. In addition, for every one-unit increase in behavioral intentions, there was a 2.78 greater likelihood in enrollment. Limitations of sample size and difficulties of recruitment are discussed. Implications of the findings and areas for future research are also presented.

This dissertation is comprised of three teacher-researcher studies carried out with the intention of showing teachers how to move beyond the monolingual paradigm to build upon linguistic and cultural diversity in their everyday practice. The monolingual paradigm is linked to ideologies regarding proficiency in English as the principle means of academic success and citizenship. These studies challenge this traditional way of viewing education by treating learning "as an emerging property of whole persons' legitimate peripheral participation in communities of practice" (Lave, 1991, p. 63), whether these are interest-based communities of practice beyond the classroom or bilingual communities of practice within the classroom. In order to recognize and explain this learning and inform teaching practices, I adopt a social semiotic approach in order to explore how meaning is constructed through language, and also through social interactions with all modern aspects of society, including gesture, image, performance, and music (Kress, 2012; van Leeuwen, 2005). I explore how these interactions allow youth to create diverse identities, beyond immigrant, refugee, limited English proficient, learner, and "other", in three educational arenas: 1) Outside of the classroom in interest-based communities of practice at school, 2) in a secondary dual-language content classroom, and 3) online in an educational transnational telecollaboration project. In all three studies I triangulate quantitative data of student participation and academic achievement with qualitative participant narratives and teacher-researcher observations. What results is insight into the impact of creating multimodal trajectories for youth to perform identities and knowledge as language users in schools, where historically messages of youth's social identities are ascribed in much more constricting ways (Harklau, 2003). Viewing these youth as language users, rather than learners, sends a message to both educators and youth that in education, identity formation trumps skills development, and this can lead to higher expectations, more engaging learning, and opportunities for youth to question race-language educational legacies (Malsbary, 2014; Wenger, 1998).

Thesis advisor: Mariela Paez / With the continued growth of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students, it is necessary for teachers to be intentional about serving students whose backgrounds are assets but nonetheless different from the dominant culture and language in American society. Because most research on teaching practices has focused on the academic development of children in preschool, this study tries to fill a gap in the literature by examining teaching practices that respond to and affirm cultural diversity. After conducting interviews and observations in three Head Start classrooms, four core teacher beliefs (reciprocal relationships with family, importance of home language, social emotional emphasis, and inclusion of culture) were identified across the sites; these beliefs impacted how teachers created a multicultural space and tailored instruction for students. The findings contribute to the field by providing insight for how teachers can continue to foster inclusive classrooms that value and celebrate children’s unique identities. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2017. / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: Education.

Thesis advisor: Mariela Páez / One third of young children in the United States are Dual Language Learners (DLLs), or children who are learning more than one language in their early years (Child Trends, 2014). An increase in the DLL population and a changing sociopolitical context in early childhood education, including an expansion of services for diverse families, has led to a critical need for early childhood educators to understand how to best serve DLL children and their families (McCabe et al., 2013). Previous research has identified promising practices for teaching young DLLs (e.g. Castro, Espinosa, & Páez, 2011; Tabors, 2008), but additional investigations are needed to better understand and elaborate culturally and linguistically responsive approaches. In particular, more information is needed about how teachers support DLL children in English-dominant classroom contexts, and how practices may vary across different types of preschool programs. The present study investigated specific teaching practices for DLLs in six community-nominated exemplary preschool classrooms across three program types (Head Start, public Pre-K, and private university-affiliated preschool programs) in an urban area of Massachusetts. Grounded in theoretical orientations of knowledge-of-practice (Cochran-Smith & Lytle, 1999) and a critical ecology of the early childhood profession (Miller, Dalli & Urban, 2012), the aim of this qualitative multiple-case study was to learn from community-nominated exemplary teachers about their beliefs and practices for teaching young DLL children. Data collection sources included: interviews with teachers, program directors, and parents; classroom observations and videos; and classroom artifacts. Findings from the study demonstrate that exemplary teachers hold asset-oriented beliefs about bilingualism and diversity, viewing DLL children and families as knowledgeable resources to the community. With these beliefs as a foundation, teachers enact a wide repertoire of practices tailored for DLL children, including: fostering relationships and belonging through embedding home languages and cultural practices in the classroom; emphasizing guided play, co-constructed curriculum, and ongoing observational assessment; and focusing on scaffolding and teaching the English language. Implications for teachers, teacher educators, and policymakers are also discussed.

This quantitative study was designed to determine the extent to which the language of testing in reading and math had a positive effect on 50/50 dual language program Hispanic students' reading and math achievement level as measured by a standardized achievement test. The research questions in this study include: 1. Is there a statistical difference in reading achievement for Hispanic 50/50 English- Spanish dual language program students when testing data is disaggregated linguistically? 2. Is there a statistical difference in math achievement for Hispanic 50/50 English- Spanish dual language program students when testing data is disaggregated linguistically? This study examined the reading and math standardized achievement results for students in grades 2-12 in a school district in Iowa serving students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 that chooses to offer 50/50 dual language Two-Way Immersion (TWI) (Spanish/English) instruction to its students. The district uses the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) and Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED), both presented in English, and the Spanish test Logramos to evaluate student achievement. The reading and math results of 157 Hispanic students enrolled in the dual language program are compared in this study to determine if the Hispanic students, on average, achieve at higher levels as measured by national grade equivalency (NGE) and percentage proficient when testing in Spanish versus English in math and in reading. There was, on average, a two-year gap in reading performance by Hispanic students when testing in English compared to testing in Spanish. The students performed about two years above grade level in Spanish in reading, but rarely performed even at grade level in English as measured by NGE and percentage proficient results. Over the three- to five-year testing window, the reading gap stayed constant at about two years. When comparing English and Spanish math results for the same students by grade level, the students scored at a higher level in Spanish over 97% of the time compared to the English math results. The results show that for the eight graduating cohorts, the average percent proficient is 72% overall when taking the math test in Spanish, but for the math test in English the average percent proficient is only 50.2% proficient. Linguists have argued that Hispanic students' progress in attaining proficiency on standardized reading and math assessments is possible after five to seven years of learning English. This study demonstrates that not all Hispanic students progress to that level of proficiency and that further programming options or interventions might be needed within the TWI program model. Additionally, this study shows that the rate toward proficiency in reading and math on the English and Spanish versions differs over time and that students generally attain proficiency in math prior to reading on both the English and Spanish assessments. Balancing the language acquisition process through models like dual language is supported in research, but implementing a TWI program model and utilizing native language assessments like Logramos must be carefully studied, monitored, and enacted with community support and ongoing professional development for all involved. Dual language programs and native language assessments are a means to address issues presented by No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in relation to Hispanics' and English Language Learners' (EL) academic achievement, but further studies must address other subgroups within the dual language programs.

Children from non-English-speaking homes often lag behind their English speaking peers academically. However, people who speak two languages often have better executive functioning skills than people who speak only one language. Executive functions are neurologically-based skills related to managing oneself to achieve a goal. The relation between bilingualism and executive function may be due to how two languages are processed in the brain. However, it is unclear if more balanced bilinguals experience larger gains in executive function than people who are less balanced. Children from low-income homes are at a disadvantage as compared to children from homes with higher incomes. A quarter of children in the Head Start program, which serves children from low-income homes, come from homes that speak a language other than English which puts them at a double disadvantage. Longitudinal data from 3-year-old children enrolled in Head Start who were from Spanish-speaking households were used to investigate whether there were different patterns of dual language development and if those patterns related differently to executive function. Results revealed three groups of dual language development. Groups were compared in terms of children’s performance on a nonverbal executive functioning task. Results showed that children in the group that had the most similar proficiency between English and Spanish had the highest average executive functioning scores, even after controlling for child age and gender. This indicates balanced bilingualism may enjoy additional benefits to executive functioning development as compared to individuals with relative imbalance between languages.

Thesis advisor: Lauri Johnson / While the academic and social success of two-way immersion programs in the public school sector is widely documented, little research has been conducted on how US Catholic school leaders have managed this whole school reform. Through an exploratory case study, the motivations and perceptions of 28 Catholic school administrators and change agents/key informants (including teachers, assistant/vice principals, board members, and consultants) from ten Catholic elementary schools were interviewed regarding the conversion to a dual language immersion model. Findings considered how Hargreaves and Fullan’s (2012) concept of professional capital and Grace’s (2002; 2010) notion of spiritual capital contributed to the leaders’ capacity to meet the school’s change needs. Most schools began with limited resources and knowledge about the technical aspects of dual language immersion, but made use of key local and national social networks as well as drew upon their own biographies and Catholic vision to increase enrollment and engender professional learning among faculty. Implications for future research and practice include attention to the nuances of academic excellence and the complex language history of Catholic schools. The study concludes with recommendations for Catholic school principals. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2018. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction.

This paper studies the educational effect of the two-way immersion dual language programs (DLE) in California’s public elementary school system using statewide testing scores as the common measurement tool. The average California Test Standards (CTS) test scores for English language arts (ELA), Mathematics and Science on the California statewide assessment, STAR, for 5th graders in the years 2009-2012, were utilized to compare student achievement for dual language participants to students in similar schools in the same district. Similar schools are matched to the participating schools by the state assigned schools ranking. This study evaluated DLE programs in terms of academic achievement and its effect on minimize the achievement gap between English learners (ELL) and English speakers (ES). The analysis consists of a series of OLS regression models that evaluates test scores on a series of variables that can help the state government assess quality of education received by DLE participants. I found a highly statistically significant correlation between ES’s achievement level and DLE participation, this relationship was consistent even when I considered scores from the far right tail of the achievement distribution. A positive but not statistically significant correlation was found for ELL in the participating schools. It should be noted that in this study, only those student who had yet to be identified as English proficient were considered under the ELL subgroup. Therefore, the end of the year examination might be testing language proficiency more than academic achievement. Nevertheless, DLE was found to be positive for all regressions.