Rockbridge Elementary Awarded Language Grant

Rockbridge Elementary School in Stone Mountain is one of six schools in Georgia to be awarded a grant for materials and professional development in the 2013-2014 school year.

The school is receiving a grant of $15,000 for start-up and training costs to implement dual-immersion instruction in French, a language deemed vital to the economic development of the state and region.

“Based on what global companies in Georgia tell us, we have set a goal for Georgia to have twenty dual-immersion programs in place by 2020,” said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge. “These programs will help ensure a Georgia workforce that is fluent in languages and skilled at cultural interactions that are necessary for the economic development of our state and region.”

Students who complete dual-immersion programs will be able to complete a college minor in their language prior to graduating from high school and will have the language expertise to study and work abroad, according to a statement from the Georgia Board of Education.