Waukesha Global and Multilingual Education Update
Since the early 1970s, the School District of Waukesha has offered services to support the development of Bilingual and Bicultural students. Over the course of many decades, these services have transitioned to well established programs integrating children from all areas of our city, as well as open-enrolling the largest population of students from neighboring communities.
In the 2010 school year, the district implemented the first Dual Language Immersion program at Banting Elementary School in one kindergarten. Today, these students are just weeks from graduation. As a result of their education, these students have achieved full bilingualism, bilingual literacy, and multicultural and global competence. These students and now the 1,400 other current Dual Language Program students at four elementary, three middle schools and three high schools are all on their way to adding to the proud legacy of 50 years of bilingual education in Waukesha.
The State of Wisconsin has joined a consortium of 48 other states in the union in recognizing the achievement of students who have obtained a level of bilingualism and biliteracy considered to be a significant asset to the United States economy. Students are recognized at the elementary level as being on the “Pathway to earning the Seal of Biliteracy”, and in 2022 we honor 131 students whose families have made the long term commitment on the journey towards full bilingualism and biliteracy, amongst other goals. At the middle level, we honor 128 students on their “Pathway to the Achievement of the Seal of Biliteracy” through Dual Language program participation, as well as 119 students in “Pathway to Participation in the Seal of Biliteracy” through the completion of French and Spanish level 2 World Language courses. We are excited to announce that since the inception of the award in 2017, Waukesha has prepared over 230 graduates to receive the Seal of Biliteracy Achievement Award. The Senior Award is honored on student’s official transcripts, as well as in an interstate database shared by the 48 state members. The Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy Award communicates to employers and universities the quality and qualities of our Waukesha graduates. Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy awardees must demonstrate Intermediate High, Advanced or Superior Achievement in a language in addition to English, as well as English Proficiency through the Access or ACT exams. In the Class of 2022, we honor 80 graduates with the Seal of Biliteracy Achievement Award. Students are being recognized at South High School on Monday May 16 at 5:30, At North High School on Wednesday May 18 at 6:30, and at West on May 18th at 6:00.
Below, you may also notice a recognition for students who have earned the Global Scholars Award from the State of Wisconsin. This award is a participation award, and recognizes students who have participated in and completed four credits in a single World Language, have completed 20 hours of service learning dedicated to understanding their own and others perspectives, taking action on issues of global/local significance and communicating effectively with diverse audiences. These students have also completed several projects documenting their participation in cultural events, as well as their interaction with texts, media and performances with international, global themes and multilingual themes.
More information about both awards and the Dual Language Program can be found on the School District of Waukesha Website/Programs/Dual Language.
A break down of student awardees in 2022 are below:
