Immersion in Louisiana started with French immersion. The first school was in Baton Rouge, but soon after Calcasieu Parish began a program and it is now the longest running immersion program in Louisiana. After that many French immersion programs started as heritage language programs and enrichment programs. Then some of those districts with French immersion added Spanish immersion and Mandarin pathways.
Immersion is one of the most well-research academic programs. Over 50 years of empirical research show that immersion students do as well or better than their peers in English, academic achievement, and the Language other than English. Dr. Fortune’s article summarizes that research.
LCIS was founded by a group of concerned stakeholders that wanted to help immersion program and provide a voice for immersion in Louisiana.
