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The Bilingual Ban That Worked

Rising test scores vindicate English immersion in California—but Hispanics are still struggling.

 

In 1998, Californians voted to pass Proposition 227, the “English for the Children Act,” and dismantle the state’s bilingual-education industry. The results, according to California’s education establishment, were not supposed to look like this: button-cute Hispanic pupils at a Santa Ana elementary school boasting about their English skills to a visitor. Those same pupils cheerfully calling out to their principal on their way to lunch: “Hi, Miss Champion!” A statewide increase in English proficiency among all Hispanic students.

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Adapted from Heather Mac Donald, contributing editor of City Journal and the John M. Olin Fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

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Reader's comments




I came to the US at age 9 from Mexico, and started in the USA in the fourth grade. My fourth grade was a Bilingual class. After that I have been in advanced English classes, but I needed the initial year of bilingual education to make the transition. Bilingual education is necessary to transition children or adults into English. Also, I have traveled to 28 countries and 22 states in the USA. I know that because we are in a global economy we should be encouraging or teaching bilingual or trilingual education, to better prepare our citizens to compete in this global economy. My professional job opportunities were increased because of my bilingual, and bi cultural background. Google my name. to see my professional experience, which again was possible also because of my bilingual education.

Francisco Barragan - Feb 05, 2010 06:33:01 PM Remove Comment
 

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