Two-Way Dual Language Program

Two-Way Dual Language (TWDL) is a biliteracy program model that integrates native English speakers and native Spanish speakers. Students will receive instruction in both languages through the core content areas of language arts and reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. The students receive instruction together in both languages to promote bilingualism, biliteracy, academic achievement, and cultural competence for all students.

The Cypress-Fairbanks Two-Way Dual Language Pilot Program uses a 50/50 model. This means that 50% of the instructional minutes each day are in English and 50% of the instructional minutes are in Spanish.

For the 2025-2026 school year, the Two-Way Dual Language Pilot Program will be at following campus allowing up to 24 English proficient students:

Gleason Elementary
9203 Willowbridge Park Blvd.
Houston, TX 77064

This program is available to incoming kindergarten students across Cypress–Fairbanks ISD (must be 5 yrs. old on or before Sept. 1 of the current year). Parents interested in the Two-Way Dual Language Pilot Program are required to attend an informational session and then apply to the program in order to be considered. Students who have already completed kindergarten are not eligible.

• Parent/Guardian attends a required Two-Way Dual Language Parent Informational Meeting.
• Parent/Guardian will complete the student’s registration online during Kindergarten Pre-registration at the student’s zoned campus.
• If interested in the Two-Way Dual Language Pilot Program, parent/guardian will complete the TWDL application and the CFISD Commitment Form sent by the district via TWDL email (TWDL@cfisd.net) on March 27, 2025 after the required parent meeting.
• A lottery will be held if more applications are received than available spots (24 students at each campus).
• Parent/Guardian will receive email confirmation of admittance to the Two-Way Dual Language Pilot Program on April 11, 2025. Parents must submit the signed CFISD TWDL Parent Approval Form on or before April 15, 2025 by 11:59 pm. 

Note: Completion of the application does not guarantee placement into the Cypress-Fairbanks Two-Way Dual Language Pilot Program.

Application for Two-Way Dual Language closes on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Yes, participating families will be asked to complete a commitment form. Families are asked to commit to the program from kindergarten to 5th grade and comply with CFISD attendance policy.

Students must demonstrate social readiness for learning in a school environment and academic preparedness to learn in a rigorous academic program.

The lottery selection process will take place if there are more applicants than available spots in the program. The lottery selection process takes place at the district level and notification of results will be communicated to families. Those who are not selected in the initial lottery will go on the program waitlist by order in which they were selected in the lottery.

Parent/Guardian will receive confirmation of admittance to the Two-Way Dual Language Pilot Program on April 11, 2025. At that time, parents must email the signed CFISD TWDL Parent Approval Form on or before April 15, 2025 by 11:59 pm to TWDL@cfisd.net.

• The CFISD TWDL Parent Approval Form will be emailed to you on April 11, 2025. This form is required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
•  Parent/Guardian must submit the signed CFISD TWDL Parent Approval Form on or before April 15, 2025 by 11:59 pm to TWDL@cfisd.net.
• Your child will then be transferred to the TWDL campus at Gleason Elementary.

Students who are not selected in the initial lottery will be placed on a waitlist based on their lottery number. Students on the waitlist will have an opportunity to be placed into an open seat until the Tuesday after Labor Day.

Transportation services will only be provided for kindergarten students who live in the attendance zone of the pilot campuses. Students living outside the pilot campuses’ attendance zone will need to provide their own transportation.

Siblings of students who are enrolled in the Two-Way Dual Language Pilot Program and who are interested in attending the campus with a TWDL pilot program would utilize the open campus transfer process. Twins will be taken into account individually in the TWDL application process.

Yes, the Two-Way Dual Language curriculum follows the same district guidelines and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The TWDL classes will cover the same grade level objectives, as other general education classes. Students work toward the same academic goals regardless of the language of instruction.

The student must satisfy the following three requirements:

• The student must have participated in a dual language immersion program for at least five consecutive school years.
• The student must achieve high levels of academic competence as demonstrated by performance of meets or masters grade level on both the mathematics and reading State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) in English or Spanish, as applicable, in at least one grade level.
• The student must achieve proficiency in both English and a language other than English as demonstrated by scores of proficient or higher in the reading and speaking domains on language proficiency or achievement tests in both languages.

Here are some suggestions on how parents can help:

• Encourage your child’s interest in the language and other cultures.
• Provide books, videos, and other materials in the second language.
• Be actively involved in your child’s school.
• Teach your child the songs and nursery rhymes from their own heritage.
• Read stories to your child in English or Spanish.
• Encourage but do not force your child to speak the second language at home.
• Be supportive at all times of your child, the program, and the teacher.

Do not feel discouraged if, at the beginning, your child cries or seems nervous about the experience. Your child will need some time to adjust to this new challenge. From the start, students are made to feel secure. Be patient. By the end of the first month, most of the students are over the initial adjustment. When your child comes home, do not be upset if he/she does not feel like telling you about his/her day at school. If you feel that your child is continuously experiencing anxiety, it would be wise to discuss this issue with the teacher and/or campus administrator.

Teachers will strategically use both languages during daily instruction. During the Spanish instruction, the teachers will only speak Spanish and during the English instruction the teachers will only speak English.

Research shows that basic interpersonal communication skills in a second language are acquired within 3-5 years. A 5-year commitment to TWDL is necessary to see the complete benefits of the program.

In addition to the report card, there is also communication with parents through parent-teacher conferences, special notices, email, and phone calls.

Teachers use many strategies to make the content comprehensible, such as visuals, props, manipulatives, gestures, physical movements, and many other instructional techniques. Teachers do not expect your child to speak a second language initially. The students are allowed to speak in the language they are most comfortable at the start of the program.