The Association of Two-Way and Dual Language Education on Tuesday presented HISD with the 2017 District of Distinction award for the district’s dual language program at the 25th Annual Two-Way Bilingual Immersion Conference in Palm Springs, Calif.

“This national award is presented to schools and districts that have been trailblazers in establishing powerful school programs that ensure the opportunity of bilingualism and biliteracy for their students,” said Rosa Molina, executive director of ATDLE. “The dual language programs started in HISD over 20 years ago, and recognition for HISD’s commitment to this work is long overdue.”

HISD leads the state of Texas with 62 programs and well-developed policies for bilingualism and biliteracy that consist of not only Spanish two-way and one-way dual language, but include the Mandarin, Arabic, and French immersion programs as well.

“We are grateful to the Association of Two-Way and Dual Language Education for recognizing the work we are doing in HISD to graduate students who are not only biliterate and bilingual, and in some cases trilingual, but who are also bicultural,” said HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza in a videotaped acceptance message. “They are developing skills that will serve them for a lifetime.”

ATDLE is the leading organization in two-way bilingual immersion education and works closely with other organizations and agencies that share a common vision and mission for this work. It provides training and is committed to excellence in education through second- and third-language education.