FAQs
What is a 90-10 DLI model?
When students receive 90% of academic instruction in the target language (Spanish), they are learning skills that transfer to their ability to read English. Phonemic and phonological awareness acquired during Spanish Language Arts instruction transfer to students' ability to read English because Spanish and English use the same alphabet.
Research studies and data from other DLI Spanish programs in North Carolina that use a 90/10 model in the primary grades (K-2) show that students in DLI programs outperform their non-DLI peers in English Language Arts assessments. In 90/10 models, English-speaking students are more likely to reach near-native fluency in Spanish (reading, writing, speaking). First language Spanish speaking students get a more robust academic vocabulary and become bi-literate in Spanish and English. By the time our students take EOG assessments in third grade, they will receive equal English and Spanish instruction in a 50/50 model.
During the 24-25 school year WM Irvin, Wolf Meadow, Carl A. Furr, and Winecoff will transition to a 90% Spanish, 10% English language model (90/10). Rocky River Elementary School transitioned to 90/10 kindergarten this past school year. During the 25-26 school year, each school will transition to a 90/10 1st grade model as well. The district is currently collecting student data to decide about the model in 2nd and 3rd grades. Students will either move to 80% Spanish / 20% English or 50% Spanish / 50% English (50/50) in 2nd grade. This decision will be made this spring. The first language of the students in the school community will determine the model in 2nd grade. All DLI students will participate in a 50/50 model by 3rd grade.
Below is a visual of the two model options for Spanish Dual Language Immersion if that is helpful. Students currently enrolled in the program will continue in the model they are enrolled in. For example, a current kindergartner in a 50/50 model will continue in first grade next year.
What happens to students who have opted in to a program if that program is discontinued? Do they go back to their home school the following school year?
Students will no longer receive an opt out form for the spring of next year if Wolf Meadow resumes a traditional calendar.
Any new requests that come in this year (presumably for people who move into the boundary) effective through May 2024 only.
For currently approved K-4 opt out’s states that students are approved for their transfer through the highest level (5th grade) assuming they meet the requirements of Policy 4115 (grades, attendance, and behavior). So, those students who have already opted out by policy should typically be able to continue attendance in their current school.
If a currently zoned Wolf Meadow student opted out and goes to a differently zoned elementary school and has a rising Kindergarten sibling, can they go to the same school as their out of zone sibling?
School board 4150 policy section G.5. notes that there is no automatic approval of a sibling.
If students that opt out are coming back, how does the county plan to support an influx of students at Wolf Meadow?
District personnel will work directly with the team at Wolf Meadow Elementary to ensure they have the resources needed for any increase in enrollment, just as we do with all of our schools.
How will employees salaries and pay periods be affected if Wolf Meadow moves from a balanced calendar to a traditional calendar?
Please direct all salary related questions to the Cabarrus County Schools finance department.