Transitional Bilingual/Early Exit Program

San Angelo ISD offers a Transitional Bilingual/Early Exit Program for prekindergarten and kindergarten students. The purpose of this program is for students identified as English Learners to become proficient in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English through the development of literacy and academic skills in both Spanish and in English.

The goal of the Transitional Bilingual/Early Exit Program is for students to utilize their primary language as a resource while acquiring full proficiency in English. Students will receive instruction in English and Spanish. Spanish language instruction will be gradually phased out with most students transitioning to English-only instruction by first grade and exiting from the Bilingual Program by third grade.

What are the benefits of the Transitional Bilingual/Early Exit Program?

The program provides access to the state curriculum and teaches students English using appropriate researched-based methods. It helps build knowledge and learning of academic subjects in a child's first language and in English while instilling self-assurance, confidence and cultural pride. For students whose first language isn’t English, learning literacy skills as early as prekindergarten is important to their academic success. Developing a child’s home language is critical for developing their English language skills. Research has shown that English Learners who receive bilingual instruction at an early age are more successful academically and have higher achievements in later grades.