Staff

Eric Larez

Director of Migrant and Bilingual Education 509-786-2881 ext. 2604 

Lisa Huerta

Migrant and Bilingual Programs Secretary 509-786-2881 ext. 2600 

Bilingual Program

The Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP) is defined by Washington state law as a system of instruction which:
Uses two languages, one of which is English, as a means of instruction to build upon and expand language skills to enable a student to achieve competency in English.

  • Teaches concepts and knowledge in the primary language of a student, while the student also acquires English language skills.

  •    

  • Tests students in the subject matter in English.

Student Eligibility and Placement

  • Eligibility begins with the administration of a Home Language Survey to determine if a language other than English is spoken at home and if the child first spoke a language other than English.

  • If the child speaks a language other than English, the student's English language ability is measured with the Washington Language Proficiency Test within the student's first 10 days of attendance.

  •    

  • Students scoring at the Beginning, Advanced Beginning, Intermediate or Advanced Level are eligible for TBIP services. Students who score at the Transitional Level are not eligible.

  •    

  • Under federal guidelines, parents must be informed of student placement in a language program within 30 days of placement.

Links

Washington English Language Proficiency Assessment

Information about the language proficiency assessments that are used to determine a students placement in the bilingual program.

English Language Development Standards

The Washington State English Language Development Standards are designed to assist classroom teachers in assessing the progress of English language learners toward attaining full fluency in English.