On Tuesday, May 15, at a ceremony on Rutgers’ New Brunswick campus, West Windsor-Plainsboro’s world languages program was recognized for excellence throughout its K to 12 curriculum while the secondary ESL program was recognized for grades 6 though 12.
WW-P is ranks as one of just four world languages programs recognized by the state and one of only six ESL programs that were recognized. the other three recognized for world languages were Princeton, Englewood, and Fair Haven. The state recognition has been awarded since 2004. It designates each program as “a model of best practices” and sets the district apart as a resource center for other school districts to learn and observe its standards. Educators from other districts can visit WW-P to learn about exemplary implementation of world languages and ESL-bilingual courses as well as discuss their district’s concerns or even collaborate with WW-P staff.
On behalf of district administration, Smith congratulated the teachers and supervisors of these programs.
“We are delighted that the state has recognized both these programs, and the state recognized the tremendous work that the staff has been doing,” Smith said.
Smith said there was rigorous application process that the school district went through to be considered for “model program” designation. The honors come as a result of first-hand observation by the state.
“Applications are screened by committees at the DOE, and if the district is considered the DOE comes to do a site visit. Last fall they came to WW-P and visited classrooms, talked with teachers and students, and then their data was reviewed,” he explained.
Smith says for WW-P’s world languages department, the honor should serve as an indication of growth. This time the entire span of WW-P’s program, K through 12, was recognized. According to Smith in previous years kindergarten through eighth grade had been recognized, but the two high schools were not.
