Examining Two-Way Dual Language Program Dispersion in the Context of Neighborhood Change, Charter School Expansion, and Enrollment Decline

Purpose: This study examines the expansion of two-way dual language (TWDL) programs in Los Angeles Unified School District from 2000 to 2022, analyzing their growth in relation to neighborhood change, charter school expansion, and enrollment decline. We use a novel data set combining program founding years, school-level enrollments, and neighborhood characteristics over time. Approach: We descriptively examine trends over time, and using a logistic regression framework, we analyze factors associated with program founding. Findings: We find that TWDL programs are increasingly opening in majority-Latinx neighborhoods and in neighborhoods with increasing numbers of charter schools. The emergence of TWDL programs is significantly associated with declining enrollment in traditional public schools. Implications: The findings point to the strategic use of TWDL programs to boost enrollment and attract students. We discuss the implications of these trends for the accessibility and potential benefits of TWDL programs for historically marginalized students.