Implementing Dual Language Immersion Strand Programs

The purpose of this case study was to identify the challenges and opportunities that school principals face when leading the implementation of dual language immersion programs as instructional strands. This case study also sought to determine what skills and strategies principals utilized to facilitate the change process for all the stakeholders involved. As the population of students who are growing up with a language other than English at home continues to increase, school districts are searching for additive models of bilingualism to serve these students’ needs. In addition, the demand for dual language education programs is growing rapidly among families who are monolingual English speaking, and who desire to prepare their children with the linguistic and cross-cultural competencies needed for global citizenship in the 21st Century. The participants in this case study were principals and staff from three elementary schools in a n urban school district in the Midwest.