Early Edge, Catalyst California, and UNITE-LA Host DLL Advocates for Tours of Early Learning Programs in Long Beach, CA
On April 26th, Early Edge California, Catalyst California, and UNITE-LA co-hosted the Dual Language Learner (DLL) Master Plan Advocates to tour various Early Learning programs, including infant and toddler programs, in the Long Beach Unified School District as well as the Educare Los Angeles at Long Beach campus. Participating partners included members from Alliance for a Better Community, Asian American Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), Californians Together, Catalyst California, Children Now, First 5 LA, Kidango, Partnership for Education, Articulation, and Coordination Through Higher Education (PEACH), Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), and The Education Trust–West.
The day began with tours of the Early Learning classrooms at Webster Elementary in Long Beach led by Webster’s Principal. The different types of programs observed included state preschool programs (CSPPs), Spanish Dual Immersion Head Start, and Spanish Dual Immersion Transitional Kindergarten (TK). The group then had an opportunity to ask Mr. Monaghan questions which centered around the top spoken languages in the area which included a large population of Khmer speakers in addition to Spanish, and discussions around how districts could develop programs that meet those needs.
Afterwards, the group traveled to Educare Los Angeles at Long Beach for an overview of the Educare model, a national network of birth to 5 schools, by principal Kristina Damon. Attendees then split into small groups to tour infant, toddler, and preschool Spanish dual immersion classes. After the guided tours the group then convened again for Q&A opportunity with EduCare staff and administrators and to reflect on implications and opportunities for state-level advocacy.
Thank you to the Webster Elementary and Educare staff for this exciting opportunity to witness these amazing programs first-hand and connect our DLL advocacy work to practice!
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