CC, CISD partner on Spanish offerings

A new partnership between Clarendon ISD and Clarendon College will provide more opportunities for local students to earn foreign language credits while in high school.
Clarendon ISD Trustees approved a memorandum of understanding with the college to formalize the agreement Monday night during their regular meeting, according to Superintendent Mike Norrell.
“We’re very proud of this partnership,” Norrell said, noting that many schools, including Clarendon, are having trouble finding qualified Spanish instructors.
Under the agreement, CC instructor Bruno Castel will teach Spanish I and II at Clarendon High School, and Clarendon College will offer dual credit classes for high school students who take Spanish III and IV.
College and school officials say it’s not clear at this time how many – if any – students will be taking the dual credit class, which will be a conversational Spanish class and will require a certain proficiency coming out of Spanish I and II.
CC President Robert Riza said CHS has the technology available to allow the college to spread this program to other schools if it’s successful.
“We’re going to run it for a year at Clarendon High School and see how it works,” Dr. Riza said. “If it works well, then we can beam it to other schools in our service area.”
Riza said CISD will pay a small fee to the college for Castel’s service, which will allow the school to save money on a full time teaching position.
At the college, Castel will be offering CC students something they have long needed… the ability to earn foreign language credits at the community college level rather than having to take those courses at a university.