Commentary; Schools Are Subverting the People's Will; Bilingual instruction: Californians voted for English immersion, but many districts play obfuscating word games Home Edition

When 61% of Californians voting in June elected to replace native-language instruction with structured English immersion, did they know that school boards across the state had a tacit veto by simply refusing to implement the measure? In the weeks following passage of Proposition 227, we have learned...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Los Angeles times
Main Author Callaghan, Alice
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, Calif Los Angeles Times Communications LLC 03.09.1998
Subjects
Bilingual education
English language
School administration
State laws
Waivers
California
Online AccessGet full text
ISSN0458-3035

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Summary:When 61% of Californians voting in June elected to replace native-language instruction with structured English immersion, did they know that school boards across the state had a tacit veto by simply refusing to implement the measure? In the weeks following passage of Proposition 227, we have learned that nothing the education bureaucracy opposes will be done. Many school districts, including San Francisco, Oakland and Fresno, defiantly refuse to implement any part of the proposition. From National City to San Diego County, districts have readied waivers, not English lessons, so students can continue Spanish classes. Structured English immersion programs use subject matter instruction designed to promote English acquisition while teaching academically demanding, grade-level-appropriate material. Special teaching techniques are used to help students understand English instruction even though their English proficiency is still limited.
ISSN:0458-3035