Longitudinal academic, language, and social emotional learning outcomes of graduates of a one‐way Spanish Immersion program

• Published in: Foreign language annals Vol. 58; no. 1; pp. 111 - 136
• Main Authors: Padilla, Amado M., Chen, Xinjie, Swanson, Elizabeth, Peterson, Margaret, Zamora, Tatiana, Girsky, Tami
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2025
• Subjects: English language achievement; math achievement; positive education; social emotional learning; Spanish Immersion program
• ISSN: 0015-718X; 1944-9720
• DOI: 10.1111/flan.12782

Seven cohorts of students (N = 258) who completed a K‐5 Spanish Immersion (SI) program in a suburban California school district were followed longitudinally through middle and high school to understand their academic, language, and social emotional outcomes. Academic and language outcomes included Spanish classes and grades, standardized Math and English Language Arts test scores, high school grade point average (GPA), language class enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP™) Spanish scores, and receipt of the Biliteracy Attainment Award. Results showed that SI graduates generally continued with Spanish language classes up through advanced levels and received high grades. They had similar middle school Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium scores and high school GPAs as their non‐SI comparison group. There were no significant differences between SI and non‐SI students for each year on three different social emotional learning (SEL) outcomes (emotion regulation, growth mindset, and school belonging). Overall, results suggest that a K‐5 SI program can lead to positive academic and language outcomes without negative impacts on SEL. The Challenge Are there long‐term costs of an early K‐5 Spanish Immersion program on students' subsequent English, math, and science learning? What are the socioemotional learning outcomes for immersion students? This longitudinal study addressed these questions by providing a holistic picture of the long‐term benefits of a Spanish Immersion program.