DOE Funds Dozens Of Dual Language Programs, Including In Fort Greene

Thirty-eight new bilingual programs are coming to 36 schools in time for the 2016-2017 school year and the MS 113 Ronald Edmonds Learning Center is among the beneficiaries.

Specifically, MS 113 (300 Adelphi Street) will be opening a Dual Language program in Spanish, using a $25,000 planning grant and a $5,000 grant to create a classroom library of Spanish-language learning materials. All funding comes from the federal Title III Language Instruction for English Language Learners (ELL) program.

“These additional Dual Language programs will equip New York City students with the language skills they need in order to succeed in school and throughout their careers,” said City Council Education Committee Chair Daniel Dromm.

The DOE describes dual language classes as 50 percent of students who are English Language Learners and 50 percent of English-proficient students. Both groups of students receive instruction in English and a target language.

Of the 38 new programs, 27 are in elementary schools, seven in middle schools, and four in high schools. Geographically, seven are in the Bronx, 21 in Brooklyn, seven in Queens, two in Manhattan, and one on Staten Island. The programs are in the following languages: Chinese, French, Haitian-Creole, Arabic, Polish, and Spanish.

Brooklyn’s 21 programs also include ones in Cobble Hill, Bed-Stuy, Williamsburg, Crown Heights, Sunset Park, and Bensonhurst.