This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The state of Utah has invested significant resources into building strong dual-immersion programs in Mandarin, French, German and Portuguese or Spanish. Children begin this program in first grade and continue throughout high school. However, the Canyons School District currently stands to lose a significant number of their students at the middle school level.

While many other districts utilize a seven- or eight-period schedule, many Canyons middle schools are choosing a six-period schedule. This means dual-immersion students at these middle schools are only able to take one half credit elective each year.

My son attends Draper Park Middle School, which is home to French and Mandarin immersion programs. He loves performing and visual arts and was excited to have the opportunity to choose from so many electives in middle school, but is now disappointed he is only able to choose one semester of an elective per year. If he had his choice he would quit the dual-immersion program to make room for more electives. Many other parents are considering this option.

I believe Canyons School District should require middle schools with DLI programs to offer at least seven-period schedules to keep this program successful.

Katie Smith

Draper