Keynote Speaker

Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Wayne Wright of Purdue University, a leading expert in the country on Language Education Policy for bilingual and EL students, and co-author of Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism (6th Ed. Multilingual Matters), and Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice (3rdEd. Caslon Press).

Keynote Talk: Developing and Sustaining Dual Language Bilingual Education in the Midwest

Dr. Wayne Wright, Purdue University

There is a long and established record of research evidence of the effectiveness of Dual Language Bilingual Education for English language learners and other emergent bilingual students. However, the growth of DLBE programs in the Midwest is a fairly recent phenomenon, particularly in Indiana where dozens of new programs have been established following state Biliteracy Legislation in 2015 (Senate Enrolled Act no. 267). In this presentation, I will provide a brief historical and contemporary overview of dual language education, its various configurations, and the research on its effectiveness. I will then describe some of the successes, challenges, and opportunities with the recent growth of DLBE in Indiana. I will then share findings from our research in Indiana in connection with a large 5-year grant we received from the U.S. Department of Education grant project to assist our partner school districts in improving language and literacy instruction in their DLBE programs. I will conclude with the lessons learned and the implications for Ohio and other states with growing DLBE programs.