TWO-WAY DUAL LANGUAGE

PROGRAM MODEL

Pillars of Dual Language Education

FBISD is launching the Two-Way Dual Language Spanish-English (TWDL) Program Model for Kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year, increasing opportunities for students to become bilingual and biliterate while offering families more choices for high-quality language programs.

The TWDL program is a bilingual program model in which Spanish-speaking and English-speaking students learn together in both languages, with the goal of becoming bilingual, biliterate and globally aware. Instruction starts with 80% Spanish and 20% English in Kindergarten, gradually increasing to a 50/50 Spanish-English ratio by 3rd Grade, and maintaining this balance through 5th grade.

The goal of two-way dual language immersion is for program participants to attain full proficiency in Spanish as well as English.

Elementary - Incoming Kinder 2026-2027

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Application Window Opens:

February 1, 2026 at 8 a.m.

Application Window Closes:

February 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

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Two-Way Dual Language Spanish-English Program

Program Information

Question:

Can students of any grade level participate in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program?

Answer:

No. The Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program launches in the 2026-2027 school year with an inaugural cohort of incoming Kindergarten students.

Question:

I have a current Kindergarten and fourth grade student. Can they participate in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program in the 2026-2027 school year?

Answer:

Unfortunately, no. The Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program launches in the 2026-2027 school year with incoming Kindergarten students.

Question:

What is the location of the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program?

Answer:

At this time, the location of the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program has not yet been finalized. As soon as a decision has been made, the information will be shared with the community.

Question:

Is transportation provided for students participating in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program?

Answer:

No, transportation is not provided for students participating in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program. Families will need to provide transportation for their child(ren) participating in the program.

Question:

If a student completes the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program from grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, will he/she automatically receive two years of language other than English (LOTE) credit for Spanish?

Answer:

No. If a student completes the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program from grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, he/she will most likely acquire language proficiency in Spanish sufficient to earn Spanish I and Spanish II credit. However, the student will need to take the FBISD credit by exam for Spanish and score accordingly in order to be awarded credit for Spanish I and Spanish II.
Student Eligibility
Question:

What are the eligibility requirements for a student to participate in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program in the 2026-2027 school year?

Answer:

Students must:
- Reside within the FBISD boundaries AND
- Be an incoming Kindergarten student for the 2026-2027 school year AND
- Have a completed TWDL Spanish-English application submitted during the application window.
Question:

Are the children of FBISD staff eligible to participate in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program if they do not reside within the FBISD boundaries?

Answer:

The FBISD staff transfer guidelines outline the process and steps staff need to take if they would like for their children to attend FBISD schools. If these FBISD staff transfer guidelines are adhered to, then yes, children of FBISD staff are eligible to participate in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program even if they do not reside within the FBISD boundaries. These students would need to:
Be an incoming Kindergarten student for the 2026-2027 school year AND
Have a completed TWDL Spanish-English application submitted during the application window.

Question:

Does my child have to be zoned to the campus where the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program is located in order to participate in the program?

Answer:

No. The Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program is a program of choice; a student does not need to be zoned to the campus where the program is located in order to participate in the program.
Application Process
Question:

What is the application process for participation in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program?

Answer:
The parent/guardian needs to complete the online application and submit it within the application window. The application window opens on February 1st and closes on February 28th.

A completed application means that:
All required fields on the online application have been completed AND
- All required documents have been submitted. There are four required documents for the application:
  
  Government-issued photo identification
  
  Copy of current home lease
  
  Copy of current utility bill, AND
  
  Completed/signed/dated home language survey (HLS)
Question:

If I submit an application for my child to participate in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program, do I still need to complete the FBISD enrollment process for Kindergarten?

Answer:

Yes. Parents need to complete the FBISD enrollment process for Kindergarten when the 2026-2027 enrollment window opens if they want their child to attend Kindergarten in FBISD. Submitting an application for participation in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program is not the same as the FBISD enrollment process.

Question:

Is a Spanish language proficiency test required in order for my child to participate in Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program?

Answer:

No. The only assessment our Department will administer is the state-mandated English proficiency test that all Texas public and charter schools are required to use to determine if a student qualifies as an emergent bilingual (EB) student, if applicable.

Question:

Can I apply to both elementary language programs of choice (the Two-Way Dual Language Spanish-English program AND the Mandarin Immersion Program)?

Answer:

Yes, parents can apply to both elementary language programs of choice (the Two-Way Dual Language Spanish-English program AND the Mandarin Immersion Program). There will be an option on the online application that allows parents to select to apply to one program only or to both programs.
Student Selection

Question:

How are students selected to participate in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program?

Answer:

The Department will utilize a lottery system to select from complete student applications submitted during the application window (February 1st through February 28th). This program model has “Spanish-speaking” students and “English-speaking” students (two student groups = two-way) learning together as bilingual pairs. Therefore, the Department will utilize data to determine which students will be offered a spot in the “Spanish-speaking” group versus the “English-speaking” group.
Student Commitment
Language Allocation

Question:

In the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program, how much of the Kindergarten instructional day is taught in Spanish? How much is taught in English?

Answer:

In the Two-Way Dual Language Kindergarten, 80% of the instructional day is taught in Spanish and 20% of the instructional day is taught in English. In addition, literacy foundational skills will be developed in both Spanish and English.
Curriculum and Resources

Question:

Are students in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program taught the state standards, or Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), for their respective grade level?

Answer:

Yes. Students in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program are taught the state standards, or Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), for their respective grade level.

Question:

Will resources be made available for parents to support their child’s learning in Spanish in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program?

Answer:

Yes, the Department will share resources that parents can access to support their child’s learning in Spanish in the Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) Spanish-English program.

Fort Bend ISD

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TWO-WAY DUAL LANGUAGE

PROGRAM MODEL

Elementary - Incoming Kinder 2026-2027

Application window is open

Educational Research

Two-Way Dual Language Spanish-English Program

Program Information

Student Eligibility

Application Process

Student Selection

Student Commitment

Language Allocation

Curriculum and Resources

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