OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Blue Valley School District is reevaluating its Chinese immersion program and will not allow families to enroll preschoolers in the program for the next school year.
The district informed the families of the decision in an email last week.
Whether your family has been involved in the Chinese Immersion Program since its inception or this is your first year in the program, your child’s learning experience is important to us.
Kelly Ott, Blue Valley School District
The district launched the Chinese Immersion program more than five years ago and decided it was time to rethink its future.
When the program started, the district said students would spend about half a day in English and the other half in Chinese. They learned everything from reading and writing to history and math in both languages.
Some of the students in the program have native Chinese speakers at home, but many don’t, according to the district.
The Board of Education will receive a report evaluating the program and future options at its February 6 meeting.
The report should include ensuring that students have the ability for students enrolled in the program to pass the AP Chinese language in high school. It will also review the district’s ability to retain and hire teachers for the Chinese immersion program.
There are currently approximately 450 students enrolled in the program.
