Bilingualism in BVSD
Learn about bilingualism and dual language programming in BVSD.
BVSD’s CLDE Department is driven by the following core beliefs:
- Equity serves as the foundation for our work.
- Partnerships and trust between educators and families are critical to student success.
- It is critical for educators to understand and honor the language acquisition process and implement best instructional practices to ensure student success.
- All students bring a wealth of linguistic and cultural experiences that contribute to and support their learning in BVSD.
- Educators must build upon students’ assets to ensure their educational success.
- We believe all educators are teachers of language and impact the experience and success of emerging bilingual students.
- All students, educators, and families benefit from being part of a diverse learning community.
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In the Boulder Valley School District, a different approach to teaching is underway in many classrooms that is reshaping how students learn and teachers teach. These classes are using co-teaching models, a collaboration that nurtures a culture of inclusivity and growth in the classroom. The co-teaching instructional model emphasizes three fundamental pillars: student inclusion, exposure to grade-level content standards for emerging bilinguals, and developing and strengthening skills, abilities, processes and resources among teachers.
BVSD has invested in fostering linguistic diversity through robust dual-language programs that empower students to master multiple languages in their existing learning environments. One example of the program's success is the Aguirre Garcia family of Lafayette, Colorado whose native language is Spanish.
Last year, 594 of graduating BVSD seniors earned the seal of biliteracy, achieving proficiency in 11 different languages, some even earning the seal in multiple languages. Each year since the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) has started awarding the Seal, there has been an increase in students who attain the achievement (even during the pandemic).