Glendale Unified School District Board of Education Unanimously Approves Western Armenian and Filipino/Tagalog Language Feasibility Studies
Glendale, CA – The Glendale Unified School District Board of Education unanimously approved the launch of feasibility studies to explore the potential of expanding the school district’s widely acclaimed Dual Language Immersion (DLI) and World Languages programs to include Western Armenian and Filipino/Tagalog languages.
The Glendale Unified School District offers Dual Immersion Language (DLI) programs in seven (7) languages beginning in elementary schools at the TK and Kindergarten grade levels. The current DLI programs include Armenian, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. The innovative dual immersion programs are designed to develop high levels of language proficiency and literacy in both English and the target language. The school district additionally offers a wide range of World Languages program course offerings for students throughout its middle schools and high schools. These educational opportunities are open to students living in and outside of the GUSD public school boundaries.
The feasibility studies represent the first step of an anticipated multi-track process to explore the potential of expanding the school district’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) and World Languages programs to include Western Armenian and Filipino/Tagalog. The initial feasibility study work will begin with a survey to GUSD families to determine the school community’s interest in the potential future educational opportunity as well as an administrative review of classroom space availability across the school district.
The current Dual Immersion Language (DLI) programs have developed and expanded over several years since the founding of the school district’s first programs in Spanish, Armenian, which focuses primarily on Eastern/Federal Armenian, and Korean. The school district currently has more than 3,000 students enrolled in its DLI programs across the current seven (7) language offerings.
“I am proud that our Board of Education has unanimously approved feasibility studies to explore the potential of expanding the school district’s widely acclaimed Dual Language Immersion (DLI) and World Languages programs to include Western Armenian and Filipino/Tagalog languages,” stated Glendale Unified School District Board President Shant Sahakian. “The Glendale Unified School District and Board of Education have taken an exciting step to build on our legacy of supporting bilingualism and biliteracy, academic achievement, and cultural competency.”
“Our school district is committed to maximizing student academic achievement and providing a safe and nurturing learning environment that prepares all students for college, career, and life success,” stated Glendale Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Darneika Watson. “We are excited for the work ahead and the opportunity to expand our educational programs to meet the needs of current and future GUSD students and families.”
