A Road Map to
the
Bilingual Education Controversy
Jill Kerper Mora
San Diego State University
The controversy surrounding bilingual education and programs to serve language minority students is complex and puzzling for many both inside and outside the community of professional educators. The purpose of this web page is to provide a guide to understanding the issues surrounding language minority education by placing aspects of the controversy into broad categories: Linguistic issues, cultural issues and academic program issues in bilingual education. Important legal and policy issue stem from these concerns and differing opinions regarding the best approach to educating limited English proficient (LEP) students. We will pose and analyze some basic questions surrounding each of the elements of controversy within each of these broader categories by providing links to pertinent articles, presentations and discussions to address each of these questions.
Linguistic Issues
Monolingualism valued Bilingualism valued The United States is a monolingual nation. What value is there in being bilingual? It is a positive thing for people to learn to speak more than one language, but this is an "extra" that need not be part of the regular school curriculum. Why should children in the public schools be taught in their native language when it is so important to learn English? Theoretical Foundations of Bilingual Education
Subtractive bilingualism Additive bilingualism When families speak a language other than English, isn't it the responsibility of the home to maintain the home language? Isn't it better for children to replace their native language with English? Philosophical Assumptions of English Immersion versus Bilingual Education
Bilingualism is a divisive force Bilingualism is a a natural phenomenon in a multicultural society We must remain an English speaking nation in order to be united as one people. Isn't bilingual education divisive? English is the language of opportunity in the world today. People all over the world are learning English so they can enjoy economic and social opportunities. Shouldn't the focus of public school learning be exclusively on English? Debunking English-only Ideology Status of Bilingual Education in the Post-227 Era
A New Role of Advocacy for Language Minority Students
Bilingualism is an impediment to academic achievement Bilingualism is an advantage in learning when language and literacy skills are fully developed Why should children be taught in another language when this may delay their English language learning? Metalinguistic Transfer in Biliteracy Development
Age of acquisition of a second language: The earlier the better The age range for acquiring bilingual proficiency spans throughout the elementary school years Young children learn English more quickly and easily. Language learning becomes more difficult as children get older. Doesn't this mean we should teach English as intensively as possible so English can be learned before children get too old to acquire the language without retaining a "foreign" accent? How Long Does It Take to Learn English?
Cultural Issues
Assimilation of immigrants should be rapid and complete Acculturation is a complex process of adapting and integrating new cultural values and life styles Isn't there a danger that if immigrants keep speaking their native languages that they will not assimilate into American mainstream society? Cultural Values
Segregation of ethnic groups and ethnic enclaves Patterns of immigration have changed in our multicultural society Isn't there too much separation already of groups according to their ethnicity? Doesn't bilingual education aggravate this situation by separating students in the public schools into separate classrooms to teach them in their own language? California's Demographic Challenges
Cross-generation and recent immigrant conflicts Degrees of bicultural affirmation and identity Previous generations of immigrants have assimilated and most have abandoned the language of their country of origin. Why don't today's immigrants do the same? Aren't they refusing to learn English? Isn't it unfair to Asian, African and European immigrants to just provide bilingual education for Spanish speakers? The Age of Enlightenment Academic Program Issues
Type and duration of programs for English language learners Models of bilingual education vs. monolingual education Why can't young children learn English in school in a year or two? Doesn't bilingual education delay children's opportunities to become literate in English? Can't we teach children English by teaching them in English? Models of Bilingual Education Sheltered Immersion: Controversy & Contrasts
Letters to the California Board of Education Regarding Proposition 227 Regulations
Program effectiveness Multiple criteria for determining success of bilingual programs Isn't English immersion simply more effective in teaching English? What justification is there for the added time and cost of bilingual education? Checklist for Effective Language Minority Program Implementation Report on Proposition 227 Implementation
Teacher qualifications and availability Roles and responsibilities of bilingual teachers There is a critical shortage of bilingual teachers. Shouldn't we prepare monolingual teachers to provide effective instruction for limited English proficient students? Aren't bilingual teachers taking jobs away form monolingual teachers? As a monolingual CLAD credential teacher, why should I care about bilingual education? Lawsuits Against Bilingual Educators Who Will Be Held Accountable for Language Minority Education?
Legal and Policy Issues
Language policy to promote societal change Language policy beyond the sphere of influence of the public schools Our public schools have always been a vehicle for assimilating new immigrants. Won't policies that promote assimilation lead to a better society and more social and economic opportunities for immigrants? Proposition 227: A Public Policy Failure
Civil rights to effective English language instruction Civil rights to equal access to the core curriculum and parity with native speakers of English Don't children have a right to be educated in English in the United States? Isn't bilingual education an impediment to that right? History of Bilingual Education
Public policies regarding education decided through the ballot initiative process Public policies regarding language minority student education decided through legislation Why shouldn't the policy preference of the majority of the electorate prevail in deciding how to educate children in the public schools? Proposition 227 Two Years Later: Triumph or Travesty?
Accountability and test scores indicating results of English immersion Reliability and validity of test scores for limited English proficient students After two years of implementation of Proposition 227, don't test scores prove that English immersion works better than bilingual education? SAT-9 Test Scores for English Language Learners: What Do They Really Mean? Testimony on Testing Policies for Language Minority Students
Political issues surrounding bilingual education Confusion of political and pedagogical issues Why is bilingual education so controversial? Why are we looking for political solutions to the challenges of educating language minority students? Proposition 227: A Message to Educators The Bilingual Education Debate: Intergroup Conflict and Prejudice Formation
Consequences of Poor Education Policy