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Immersion Program FAQ  Two-Way Bilingual Immersion Programs in
California frequently asked questions on two-way instructional
approaches and other issues. How can a school in California
legally provide a program of instruction in a language other
than English?  Parents of English learners must sign yearly
waivers of consent prior to placement of their child in a two-
way immersion program. Additionally, prior to enrollment in the
program, California requires English learners (under ten years
of age) to be placed in an English language classroom for 30
calendar days prior to placement.  What is the difference
between a 90:10 and a 50:50 model?  The first number refers to
the amount of instructional time initially spent for instruction
in the target or non-English language in kindergarten. The
second number refers to English. In a 90:10 model the amount of
the target language decreases yearly as English increases until
there is a 50:50 balance of the lan