State Bilingual
Bilingual Multicultural Education
The Bilingual Multicultural
Education Act of 1973 provides funds to local districts to implement
bilingual, multicultural instructional programs. The main purpose of such programs is to ensure equal education
opportunity for qualifying students in New Mexico. Bilingual Education programs also provide opportunities for
students to expand their conceptual and linguistic potentials and abilities,
and to learn to appreciate the value and beauty of different languages and
cultures.
A critical component of the
program is English language development, which uses specialized methods and
materials designed to teach English to speakers of other languages. Primary language instruction in the core academic
areas, including language and literacy, is also an integral part of the
program, thus ensuring the continued intellectual development of children while
learning English. PED-BMEU
Historical Perspective
The Constitution of the state
of New Mexico, adopted in 1911, reflects the intent to protect the
languages and culture of the states peoples.
Article XII, Section 10 of the Constitution states that children of
Spanish descent shall never be denied the right to attend public school nor
will they be educated in separate schools.
Additionally, Section 8 calls for the Legislature to provide for
training of teachers to become proficient in both the English and Spanish
languages.
In 1968, the State Board of
Education issued the first policy in support of Bilingual Education. In 1973, the New Mexico State Legislature
passed the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act (Sections
22-23-1 through 22-23-6 NMSA 1978), which reaffirmed the provisions of the
Constitution and laws regarding languages spoken by Hispanics and Native
Amerians. This was followed in 1976 by
the State Board of Educations Guidelines for Program Approval, which
described how Spanish and Native American language instruction could be
implemented in districts applying for state support.
Bloomfield Schools
All state Bilingual Multicultural
Education programs must support the districts Education Plan for Student
Success (EPSS).
June 2002, the State Board of
Education approved a new Bilingual and Multicultural Education
Regulation. This revision was made
to promote more effective Bilingual Multicultural Education programs and
services; to implement new programs (such as Language Revitalization); and to
provide for both greater accountability and greater flexibility for schools
implementing Bilingual Education programs.
Bloomfield Schools has four
schools in the district implementing a type of bilingual program.
Bloomfield Family Learning Center
(Pre K K)
Spanish Dual Language Immersion
Program 3 hours
Navajo Revitalization Program 3
hours
Navajo Enrichment Program 1
hour
Central Primary School (1 3)
Spanish Dual Language Immersion
Program 3 hours
Navajo Revitalization Program 3
hours
Navajo Enrichment Program 1
hour
Blanco Elementary School (K 6)
Maintenance Language Program 2
hours
Spanish Enrichment Program 1
hour
Mesa Alta Junior High School (7
8)
Navajo Revitalization Program 2
hours
Spanish Revitalization Program
2 hours
Navajo Enrichment Program 1
hour
Spanish Enrichment Program 1
hour
Bloomfield High School (9 10)
Navajo Revitalization Program 2
hours
Spanish Revitalization Program
2 hours
Navajo Enrichment Program 1
hour
Spanish Enrichment Program 1
hour
Program Model Summary
DUAL LANGUAGE ELL/FEP/ English native speakers students
Instructional Time:
3 hours per day
Required Courses:
Minimum of 3 hrs. in the Home
language (Language Arts and Content area) and 3 hrs. in English, including ESL
for ELL students.
Purpose:
All Students will be bilingual
and biliterate in English and the home/2nd language (best model
according to research).
Indigenous/Heritage Language
Revitalization -
Instructional Time:
2 - 3 hours per day
Required Courses:
1 hr. of Home language and 1 hr.
of ESL
Optional/Additional Courses:
May have 1 additional hr. of
Bilingual in a Content Area (Math, Social Studies, Science or Fine Arts).
Purpose:
ELL Students will become
bilingual and biliterate in English and the home language
Instructional Time:
1 - 2 hours per day
Required Courses:
1 hr. of Home language
Optional/Additional Courses:
May have 1 additional hr. of
Bilingual in a Content Area (Math, Social Studies, Science or Fine Arts).
Purpose:
All FEP and English native
speakers will become fluent in the home/2nd language.
INDIGENUOUS/HERITAGE
LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION ELL/FEP/
English native speakers students
Instructional Time:
1 - 3 hours per day
Required Courses:
1 hr.of Heritage language and 1
hr. of ESL for ELL students.
Optional/Additional Courses:
May have 1 additional hr. of
Bilingual in a Content Area (Math, Social Studies, Science or Fine Arts).
Purpose:
All Students will be bilingual
and biliterate in English and the Heritage language.