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The decision to abruptly discontinue Dual Language Programs in several schools in Harnett County has raised concerns among families, who say they were not consulted and fear the academic and emotional impact on their children.
In mid-March, parents at Coats Elementary School and Coats-Erwin Middle School, among others, received a notification informing them that the program will end at the close of the school year.
“As parents and families of students at Coats Elementary, we are deeply concerned about this decision and the impact that eliminating this program will have,” one parent, who asked not to be identified, told Enlace Latino NC.
According to the communication sent by school authorities, the decision was made “after a careful review of enrollment trends, student needs, and school and district priorities.”
The dual language program, which in some schools has existed for nearly a decade, has been valued by families for its academic, cultural and cognitive benefits, especially for students developing in bilingual environments.
Limited options for families
Families said they have been presented with two options: transfer their children to another Harnett County school that offers the program — such as Dunn Elementary School or Highland Elementary School — while assuming transportation themselves, or remain at their current school without access to the program.
“They also mentioned the possibility that students could earn high school credits in Spanish I and Spanish II through the North Carolina Virtual Public School, but that does not replace the program,” the parent said.
Some parents have also requested greater transparency regarding the criteria used to make the decision, including data on enrollment, academic performance and student needs.
Families have expressed interest in meeting with school and district leaders to discuss alternatives that would allow the program to continue or to explore other options that benefit students.
A pride for public schools
The district has historically promoted these programs, in partnership with Participate Learning, as a tool to prepare students for a global environment.
“Harnett County Schools is proud to offer dual language immersion programs that prepare our students for the 21st-century skills to compete and succeed in our globalized and multicultural world,” the program’s official webpage states.
Of the fourteen schools — seven elementary, five middle and two high schools — that initially implemented the program, only two would remain: Dunn Elementary and Highland Elementary.
“The program has many advantages because students earn credits for their future education,” the parent said.
“There is no clarity from authorities about why it is being closed. We have heard it is due to end-of-grade assessments, but those data are at a general level and not specific to the program,” the parent explained.
Impact on students and teachers
Parents estimate that around 1,100 students — 200 middle school and 900 elementary — could be affected by the cancellation, according to data shared with Enlace Latino NC.
“The impact is not only on our children, but also on teachers, many of whom are international.
Some have already been told to find another school or return to their countries,” the parent said.
“For students, the biggest impact is emotional if parents decide to move them to another school. They are very sad because they have friends they have shared many years with,” the parent added.
Why is the program being reduced?
District officials defended the decision during a Harnett County Board of Education meeting on March 2.
Chris Pearson, assistant superintendent of Auxiliary Services, said the cancellation responds to changes in the student population, operational challenges, and that the program no longer meets its original goal.
“The original thought there on dual immersion was, some language acquisition for English speakers. It has shifted heavily towards native speakers being in that program”, Pearson said.
“In reality, we’re not preparing them for, you know, developing the second language as they need to if they’re a native speaker in that program,” he added.
Pearson said that over the years, fewer students continue in the program, reducing class sizes in higher grades and creating an imbalance with regular classes.
“If they [students] don’t continue through that program through third, fourth, fifth grade, we end up with a fourth grade class that is whittled down to 12 or 13 students. And down the hall is a regular fourth grade class with 31 students,” he said. “And so as we weighed that out, we felt like that was the transition to be made.”
At the middle school level, a formal dual immersion program will not be offered, although it may exist as an elective or virtual class, said Monica Thompson, assistant superintendent of Human Resources.
The Harnett County Board of Education did not respond to Enlace Latino NC’s request for comment regarding the data supporting these changes, including questions about their impact on students, families and teachers.
Upcoming Board of Education meeting
On Monday, March 30, the Harnett County Board of Education will hold its regular work session at 6 p.m.
“We invite all parents and students to raise their voices during public comments,” one parent told this outlet.
The meeting will take place at 601 S. Main Street, Lillington.
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