| The growing amount of immigrants coming to the United States poses a challenge for educators in finding instructional programs that will address the academic needs of the English Language Learner population in New York City Schools. Dual Language programs have been identified as high quality education programs not only for immigrant students, but for native English speakers. Parents are instrumental in their children's education, yet there's little research on their attitudes towards language program models. The purpose of this study was to explore parental attitudes towards bilingual education and parental motivations for choosing dual language programs. Parents of two middle schools were surveyed. The study revealed no significant differences between parental attitudes towards bilingual education among parents of dual language students and parents of English-only students based on enrollment, grade, parental education, and household language. Overall, most parents had favorable attitudes towards bilingual education. The most highly rated parental reason for enrollment in the dual language program was related to academic/career advantages. Motivations for choosing dual language programs included better career opportunities and positive influences of bilingualism on learning, cognition, and self-image. The results of this study can be a useful tool in recruitment for the program, as well as, encouragement of parental participation and involvement. |
