User:Davidma veritas/Cupertino Language Immersion Program
Cupertino Language Immersion Program (CLIP) is an alternative K-8 education program located at R.I. Meyerholz Elementary (K-5) and Sam H. Lawson Middle School (6-8) in the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD). It is one of three alternative programs in the district where enrollment is decided by lottery.
Employing a two-way language immersion model, CLIP’s goals are to develop biliteracy, enrich culturally and achieve academic proficiency that meet or exceed the district guidelines.
Starting in the 1998-1999 school year with a single Kindergarten class, CLIP’s Mandarin Immersion Program has grown to expand through eighth grade in 2006. In 2007, the first class of immersion students graduated middle school.[1]
CUSD supports CLIP with teachers, facilities, and English curriculum. All aspects of the Mandarin curriculum are financed by grants and donations. Donations are routed through the CLIP Community Organization (CLIPCO), a non-profit fundraising organization.
CLIP is the first public K-8 two-way Mandarin Immersion program in California.
Milestones
- March, 1998: Presentation to CUSD trustees.[2]
- May 12, 1998: CUSD Trustees approve language program.[3]
- August, 1998: Pilot Mandarin enrichment program, 10% of school day at L.P. Collins Elementary.[4]
- August, 1999: Expanded to two-way Mandarin immersion.[4]
- 2003: Received US Department of Education Grant $500k over 2003-06.[5]
- August, 2004: Relocated to R.I. Meyerholz Elementary School, at which showed a 36% increase in number of individuals tested for Academic Performance Index (API) scoring from previous year.[6]
- August, 2006: Expanded to Sam H. Lawson Middle School.
- June, 2007: First language immersion class graduates Sam H. Lawson Middle School.[1]
Academics
Curriculum
Students are given the same demanding curriculum as all students in the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) delivered in both Mandarin and English. As
The program integrates both native English speakers and native Chinese speakers, as well as some students with other native languages such as Japanese, Korean, Cantonese Chinese, Vietnamese, German and Spanish. The intent is to achieve a 50/50 balance between native English and native Mandarin speakers.
Instructional time during the day is split between English and Chinese as follows: kindergarten and first grade students receive 70% Mandarin/30% English instruction; second and third grade students receive 60%/40% Mandarin/English instruction; fourth and fifth grade students receive 50%/50% Mandarin/English instruction. Middle school students take two periods each day in Mandarin and five periods in English.[7]
Teachers
CLIP has put in place an excellent team of qualified teachers, many of whom are bilingual and possess one or more advanced degrees. The team consists of English teachers, with CLAD credentials and Mandarin and bilingual teachers with BCLAD certification in addition to the California required subject certification. Your Child's Teacher, 2003. Cupertino Language Immersion Program</ref>Teachers who are new to the district participate in a teacher mentor program and have the opportunity to observe other CUSD classrooms. Teachers who are new to CLIP have an opportunity to visit other bilingual schools in the Bay Area. CLIP has also provided additional professional development and training by Dr. Ji-Mei Chang, professor at San Jose State University and consultant to CLIP.
Cultural Enrichment
- CLIP After School Enrichment Program (ASEP) is a parent organized and participant funded program to provide cultural enrichment classes to Meyerholz Elementary School students. Starting in Fall, 2006, classes offered include Chinese Wushu (sport), singing, dance, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese brush painting, and Lion dance.
- San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade: Since 200x, Meyerholz Elementary School has participated in the parade.
- Middle school student exchange program with school in Cupertino's sister city of Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Chinese Language Contest: Held annually, students elect to participate in a language contest where winners advance to regional competitions organized by the Association of Northern California Chinese Schools (ANCCS). Categories include speech, read-aloud, reading comprehension, penmanship, and bilingual translation.
Opposition
Opponents of CLIP have voiced the following concerns:
- Funding: During proposals for implementation of CLIP, opponents urged the school board to instead fund other much needed "programs and services including music and arts."[2]
- Ethnic Bias: Concern was voiced that proposals were ethnically motivated[8] and would only serve a minority of the population.[9][2]
- Santa Clara Grand Jury Inquiry: As a result of citizens' complaints about CLIP funding, a Grand Jury inquired into the practices of the CUSD. No recommendations were made.[10]
External Links
References
- ^ a b "Two Milestones for Mandarin Immersion Class", by Mangaliman, J. and Noguchi, S., San Jose Mercury News, June 7, 2007
- ^ a b c "CUSD board hears immersion presentation", by Enders, Steve, Cupertino Courier, May 20, 1998
- ^ "Board OKs Mandarin program", by Enders, Steve, Cupertino Courier, May 20, 1998
- ^ a b "Language Immersion Program Trains Students for the Future", by Che, I-chun, Cupertino Courier, October 9, 2002
- ^ 2003 FLAP Grantees
- ^ "California Department of Education API Reports"
- ^ Instructional Model and Language Percentage, 2003. Cupertino Language Immersion Program
- ^ Decker, J. Letter. Cupertino Courier, April 8, 1998: "Letters: Immersion Proposal is ethnically biased"
- ^ Becker, R.A. Letter. Cupertino Courier, June 3, 1998: "Letters: Immersion or coercion"
- ^ "Financial and Enrollment Practices of the Cupertino Union School District". Smith, Michael A., Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury, November 4, 2004