September 25, 2025
Thursday Edition
Empowering Dual Language Immersion educators with best practices, relevant research, classroom tips, and fun ideas that will inspire you into, through and beyond your teaching week.
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The Reading Screener for Dual Language Immersion programs
In recent weeks I've received several calls and emails asking:
How do we implement the Reading Screener in our DLI Programs?
The purpose of the reading screener in grades K-2 (in some states K-3) is to administer a "brief" assessment or way to identify students who may need support or who may later be identified with a learning disability. It's important to note that the screener is not a diagnostic. It's purpose is to identify students who may benefit from further assessments to determine if the student has a learning disability. The Importance of Early Literacy Screening by The World Literacy Foundation explains why reading screeners are being used nationwide to identify literacy challenges that need support. This article by Californians Together's gives guidance on the selection, implementation and post screening considerations for Multilingual learners. The article highlights that Kindergarten Multilingual learners or newcomers with limited English proficiency should not be screened in English during the first half of the school year.
When determining a student's readiness for screening, it is crucial to consider factors such as their developmental history, educational history, literacy progress in English and their home language, time of year of arrival, and emotional/mental well-being (e.g., for refugee students). Californians Together, May 2025
What about DLI Programs?
In DLI 50/50 models where literacy is taught in both languages the recommendation is to test in both since students are receiving formal literacy instruction in both languages. You can also choose to test students in their first language, since students are learning how to read in their first language whether it's Spanish or English. Remember if a student has a learning disability it will manifest in all of their languages, therefore screening in their dominant language is best practice if they are receiving instruction in both.
In DLI 90/10 where literacy is taught in the non-English language first, such as Spanish, it is recommended that all students are tested in the language of instruction and screen English-only/dominant students in English as needed. When I taught Kindergarten, the English dominant students who entered K with some foundational skills in English made on target progress in Spanish. However English dominant students who by January were not acquiring letter names and sounds in Spanish were a concern. If this were today, I would administer the screener in English to these students, but only after they have received several weeks of instruction in Spanish.
Some also recommend that the screener is administered to all 90/10 students in both languages however for Kindergarten or Newcomer Multilingual learners at a beginning level of English who have not been instructed in English (didn't attend pre-school or TK in English) you're not going to gain any information that you don't already know. If the student has a learning disability, it will manifest with the Spanish screener, it's not necessary to do both in Kindergarten. In first and second grade, again I would screen students in both languages IF the data is going to help to make the next decision in supporting the student.
Reading screener policies differ slightly in each state. Check your state's Education Code or policy. Click HERE for the California Ed. Code regarding the reading screener.
Assessment & DLI
Is it a language development need or a language disability?
When students are learning content in a new language, and they are NOT progressing in the way we might expect, you must ask yourself: Is it that the student doesn't know the content or is it that they are not able yet to show their knowledge of that content in their new language? In DLI programs where all students are learning in their first language and a new language, the question, Is it a language development need or a language disability? needs to be at the forefront of instructional considerations being made when students are not progressing as expected. It boils down to, does the student need more time to continue to develop the new language/does the student need additional strategies that can support them in their new language, OR is it a learning disability that requires specific support? Please know that once a student is identified as having a learning disability and begins to receive support from a resource specialist, they can STAY in a DLI program. Our program is for everyone, including students with special needs.
Interactive Read Alouds
Interactive Read Alouds provide an opportunity for both
oral language and vocabulary development.
¡Celebrando Puerto Rico!
Here are two award winning books set in Puerto Rico
Coco la cotorra Puertoriqueña.
Bookshop: Spanish English
Amazon: Spanish English
Coquí in the City
Amazon: Spanish English
For more titles visit my shop at Bookshop Shop/Viva ser bilingüe.
Bookshop.org is offering 20% off during Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month
Check out another episode of Learning with Isla: Isla's First Puertoriccan Adventure
For Upper Grades
DLI Resources
The César Chávez Foundation is offering free K-8 Lessons for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Click HERE to sign up for the lessons.
Did you know that the César Chávez Foundation offers summer school, after school programs? To learn more about their educational programs click HERE.
Discovering Español TPT store offers several lessons for Hispanic Heritage Month including country specific lessons.
@weareteachers shared a list of activities for HHM.
Upcoming Conferences & DLI PD
Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE) - Allen,Texas - October 22-25, 2025
Learn more HERE
Washington Association for Bilingual Education (WABE) - Tacoma, WA - October 24-25, 2025
Learn more HERE
La Cosecha Dual Language Conference - Alburquerque New Mexico - November 11-15, 2025
Learn more HERE.
Call for proposals for Association of Two-Way and Dual Language Educators (ATDLE) - Sand Diego, CA June 17-19, 2026 Learn more HERE
Directory of Dual Language Programs in the U.S.
Dual Language Schools.org counts 4894 Dual Language programs across the United States. There are more programs than are listed. Check the link above to see if your school is on the list.
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