Dade Schools To Expand Second-Language Instruction

By Kathleen Kennedy Manzo

A new report showing that students are not meeting the increasing demand for a literate, bilingual workforce has spurred the Dade County, Fla., school board to expand language programs for all students in a district with one of the largest populations of students who do not speak English as their first language.

Under the plan, the district will increase the number of schools offering bilingual instruction, and it will provide more continuity of study from elementary school through high school.

For students enrolled in the program, 60 percent of all of their classes--in all disciplines--will be taught in English and 40 percent will be taught in Spanish, French, German, or another language. So one day a student might receive science instruction in Spanish, and the...