Dual-Language Curriculum Implementation: Addressing the structural and pedagogical shifts through a change management framework
Daniel de los Reyes • Cahn Fellow 2023
Discover how small, strategic changes in our newly adopted dual-language curriculum have triggered a wave of bilingual brilliance and leadership transformation. By integrating a dynamic change management framework, we've ignited monumental gains in student achievement and teacher collaboration. This project reveals how targeted pedagogical shifts and collaborative learning communities have sent ripples of success throughout our school and district. Get ready to spark your own chain reaction of progress.
The adoption of Darwin Elementary's dual-language curriculum led to a significant transformation. Initially, the program lacked alignment and consistency, but through small, deliberate adjustments—such as redefining roles, enhancing curriculum standards, and improving staff support—a broader wave of educational leadership and bilingual success emerged. These targeted shifts, such as integrating Spanish Language Arts (SLA) to strengthen English Language Arts (ELA), required dedicated time, resources, and strategic planning, ultimately resulting in substantial academic growth.
This bilingual butterfly effect was further propelled by robust professional development, including grade-level meetings, Saturday academies, and teacher-led learning communities. By focusing on collaborative leadership and shared instructional practices, the program cultivated increased teacher engagement and accountability, creating a ripple effect that improved ELA performance and student attainment. Anchoring short and long-term goals into the school’s culture, Darwin Elementary harnessed these pedagogical shifts to elevate both language learning and leadership, demonstrating how strategic small changes can drive lasting, transformative impact throughout a school and district.
This essay outlines the key elements of our change management process, the challenges faced, and the strategies employed to bring about a transformation in dual-language education at Darwin. The goal is to improve student engagement and achievement in both Spanish and English while addressing structural and pedagogical shifts within the program.
