SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - The education for hundreds of Utah students is on the line and it all comes down to one decision.
Utah's duel immersion program designed to help students learn a second language may not get funding next fall.
Utah may turn away all the first grade students signed up to start this fall. This is the only group that would be affected by this program.
One of these programs is set up at Horizon Elementary in Murray.
The students only speak English half the day and Spanish the other half.
"There are some times when I don't understand the words she's (his teacher) saying, but after she explains it a little I can catch on," said third grade duel immersion student, Stanford Zito.
Students learn the same lessons twice in both languages.
Song and repetition are powerful tools to immerse the students in their second language.
"When you see those faces understanding what you're saying that is the most rewarding," said duel immersion teacher Karina Guzman.
These rewarding experiences are in jeopardy in eight Utah counties.
The programs include Spanish, Portuguese, German, French and Chinese.
Lawmakers aren't sure if they can spend $800,000 of your tax dollars for this program.
The money would pay for first graders to take part in the program through the sixth grade.
"I think anything that invests in the future of our children is worth while money spent," said Viola Murray who lives in Utah.
However, some people question if Utah should spend money on duel immersion programs.
All Stanford Zito knows is he's learning. He says his favorite things to talk about in Spanish at school is math and division.
Utah lawmakers are expected to make a final vote March 6.
