EPISD program helps minority students develop talents
May 6, 2007
Almost a decade ago, Vicente Ortega's parents placed him in the first Connecting World/Mundos Unidos program at Mesita Elementary School. Now, at 18, Ortega is part of the first class -- which followed the Gifted and Talented/Dual Language Program from Mesita Elementary School, through Wiggs Middle School and through El Paso High School -- to graduate.
Written by Zahira Torres, El Paso Times
Zayna Shaheen, left, Michelle Brown, center, and other El Paso High School seniors who went through the El Paso school district's Gifted and Talented/Dual Language Program together will soon part ways. Most have known each other since they began the program at Mesita Elementary School. (Rudy Gutierrez / El Paso Times)
Almost a decade ago, Vicente Ortega's parents placed him in the first Connecting World/Mundos Unidos program at Mesita Elementary School. Now, at 18, Ortega is part of the first class -- which followed the Gifted and Talented/Dual Language Program from Mesita Elementary School, through Wiggs Middle School and through El Paso High School -- to graduate. "My first language was Spanish because that's what I spoke at home," Ortega said. "I knew some English because I was in bilingual classes, but this program enhanced my knowledge of both languages. "The program pushed us more than a bilingual class would because it maintained the same speed as other gifted and talented classes while pushing us to use both languages." More than 300 students have participated in the El Paso Independent School District program, which has worked through the feeder pattern and into El Paso High School. In the program, teachers develop curriculum to accommodate both languages, and students partner with classmates who are proficient in the opposite language. It's the only bilingual gifted and talented magnet program in El Paso, officials said. About three years ago, the program received a $2.5 million federal Jacob J. Javits grant to expand and promote the number of minorities in gifted and talented classes. Javits grant coordinator Sandra Spivey said the program has been accomplishing that mission. "They are so ingrained in the program that they don't know what it would be like to be in a regular class or a bilingual class," Spivey said, adding that many of the students who started in the program are graduating in the top 10 percent of their class. "It is a program that is really beneficial to all students, whether they are proficient in Spanish or English," she said. Only Mesita, Wiggs Middle and El Paso High offer the program, but students from other EPISD schools can transfer to participate, officials said. Aiden Slavin, who started in the dual-language classes when he was in first grade and has a younger brother who participates, said he enjoys the benefits of the magnet program now that he is in middle school. "Since I know Spanish, I am able to communicate with a lot of people," Slavin said. "I am on the soccer team, and the whole team is Hispanic. Only one person doesn't know Spanish. It is nice because since I know Spanish, I am able to make more friends and understand more." Slavin said being proficient in two languages helped his uncle secure a better position at work. Ixchel Torres, who is also in the program, said that before her father perfected English, he struggled to find a job. Now, Torres' parents reinforce the importance of being bilingual. "I had problems speaking English in the past," Torres said, "but then I got used to it, and now I can communicate well in both languages." Zahira Torres may be reached at ztorreselpasotimes.com; 546-6156 About the program
Available at Mesita Elementary, Wiggs Middle and El Paso High schools.
Students can apply at any time, but are encouraged to enroll between kindergarten and first grade.
Students learn Spanish and English while meeting curriculum requirements for their grade level.
Students may transfer to the program from any other EPISD school.
Transportation is provided to qualifying students in the district.
Information: Farah Green, 779-4087.
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