RSSDueling over dual-language classes in the Yakima Valley
Yakima Herald-Republic
Teachers in the Yakima Valley see it every day: Spanish-speaking children running into an English language barrier.
Many schools have provided dual-language classes to help them. But just how well these classes work remains a point of contention.
Most dual-language classes begin in kindergarten, and they pair a group of English-speaking students with a group equal in size of students fluent in Spanish. The strategy is to teach equally in both languages; the goal is to have students in both groups become bilingual by the time they reach middle school.
National studies show that elementary students who become bilingual begin to outperform other students by the time they reach the seventh grade. But in Wapato -- where 67 percent of students are Latino -- test scores and school grades for those students haven't been so good, school administrators say.
On Sept. 1, the Wapato School District scrapped all dual-language classes, saying students in those classes lag behind others in meeting state and federal performance standards. Now, students who need help with language are receiving instruction in English, with help in Spanish, only as needed.
"They can't make progress as fast," said Wapato's Director of Bilingual Education Dave Juarez. "We don't have the time and resources to teach kids Spanish when we have to meet (academic) benchmarks."
The move has more than 50 parents in this rural town of 4,555 mostly Latino residents calling for the removal of Wapato Superintendent Becky Imler, and several bilingual teachers questioning the research administrators used to justify the change.
Imler said in an interview this week that she has support from many parents on the other side of the issue, and that she stands behind the decision.
"I just really believe that we're doing what's best for our community here," she said.
It's a controversy nearly inseparable from the national debate over immigration reform and has some questioning whether public schools should be mandated to teach any language other than English.
"There is a very strong anti-immigrant sentiment, especially among (lawmakers)," said Foundation for Child Development President Ruby Takanishi in New York City. "So that's the big social context dual language is imbedded in. It's not separate."
Like most of the school districts in the Yakima Valley, Wapato has a transitional bilingual program geared to help Spanish-speaking students become academically proficient in English.
This year, the Wapato School District received about $708,000 in state funds and another $184,000 from the federal government to provide bilingual education to 186 students of its 3,000-plus enrollment.
Those funds are paying for 10 bilingual teaching assistants, two bilingual teachers and supplemental material in Spanish, school administrators said.
As part of Wapato's bilingual program, dual-language classes were established nearly a decade ago and eventually were offered in all three elementary schools.
But in 2005, when third-grade students began taking the WASL (Washington State Student Assessment Test) as required by state law, school administrators began dismantling the dual-language program, yanking those classes from two elementary schools. The program remained only at Adams Elementary School.
English proficiency test scores among students in those classes not only showed that they wouldn't pass the third-grade WASL, but that they wouldn't transition out of the bilingual program in a timely manner, Bilingual Education Director Juarez said at that time.
Most students entering the district are at an intermediate level in English and only have three years to exit the bilingual program under federal guidelines, at which time they are expected to pass the WASL, he said.
"We really are in a dilemma as far as what the federal guidelines are in terms of students meeting English requirements," Juarez said.
In the Yakima Valley, Spanish is the dominant language of more than 40 percent of elementary students. This valley has the highest concentration of Latino students anywhere in the state.
In Grandview, which is similar to Wapato in size and demographics, helping students become bilingual through dual-language classes outweighs concern about early academic benchmarks, said Assistant Superintendent Minerva Morales. She said there's proof these students excel in middle and high school and have sufficient time to meet state standards for graduation.
"I'm looking at these kids being academically successful and bilingually educated by the time they reach middle school," she said. "We're extremely hesitant to transition them out of their primary language in first and second grade until they get a firm foundation in their native language."
Officials at East Valley and Yakima school districts say they, too, see the language immersion classes as a valuable teaching model for students.
Despite the pressure to have students meet academic benchmarks, many parents in Wapato want the dual-language program returned.
Sister Mary Ellen Robinson, who runs a nonprofit program in town that assists immigrant families, said Spanish-speaking parents liked having their children learn reading, writing and math in English and Spanish. It helped make them feel that their children were able to retain their cultural ties to Mexico, while also building new ones here in the U.S., she said.
"Many parents from Mexico preferred Adams Elementary, even if test scores weren't high," said Robinson, who operates Marie Rose House. "They want to participate in their children's learning and life."
Elvia Castañeda Diaz, a mother of four, gave up on fighting last year when Camas Elementary in the Wapato School District cut its dual-language program.
"I went to some meetings but it didn't matter," said Castañeda, a 37-year-old Mexican immigrant who does field work with her husband. "Who knows why the teachers or directors no longer want to teach our kids Spanish?"
She worries that her youngest daughter, 9-year-old Jennifer, can't read or write in Spanish, unlike her older sisters. The third-grader at Camas Elementary receives all lessons in English.
"What happens when we return to live in Mexico?" asked Castañeda, who only completed the seventh grade herself. "Jennifer will be behind in school there."
Attitudes about whether public schools should adjust their curriculum to teach these students English vary as much as the programs themselves.
Dual-language programs are popular in other parts of the state, such as Seattle, where families get on waiting lists to have their native English-speaking children learn Spanish or Japanese.
Students taught in dual- language classes are better equipped to face a global economy because they are bilingual, said Takanishi, the president of the Foundation for Child Development.
"It's kind of a tragedy that we can't wrap our minds around this," she said. "It's a win-win situation -- nobody is losing. But the politics are devastating. It's hard for people to be courageous about this."
But Max Golladay, chairman of the Yakima County Republican Central Committee, isn't a fan of dual-language education at the expense of taxpayers.
"I understand some of the problems children face when they don't speak English and aren't from an English-speaking family," he said. "But I don't see how it becomes society's problem."
A half-dozen bilingual teachers who disagree with the decision to end dual-language instruction accuse administrators of trying to rid students of Spanish.
They asked not to be identified, fearing retaliation from administrators. But at least one teacher, Gerene Sadberry, spoke openly about her opposition.
One of her objections is that the administration is looking at reading scores for kindergartners -- at the beginning and end of the school year -- to review progress. Using that to track progress in English is not a fair assessment, she said.
Sadberry acknowledged the students received little instruction in English in kindergarten, but said they received more in English as they moved into first and second grade.
"We want our kids to grow up and be successful, and in this valley and in this world they're going to be more successful if they're bilingual ... not to grow up and just work in the fields," she said.
The 2008-2009 third-grade WASL scores showed Adams Elementary outperforming the other two elementary schools in the district while it still held dual-language classes, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction's Web site.
Under state law, students who qualify for transitional bilingual services are to receive instruction in their primary language, with reinforcement in English with tests administered in English.
Sadberry questions whether they are getting sufficient classroom support, even in Spanish.
She said teachers in the other elementary schools were told to remove all Spanish books and other material from their classrooms and put them in the hallway for janitors to collect.
"I don't know if they took it to storage or just threw it in the dumpsters," she said. "It just boggles the mind how the district is thinking and why they would do these things."
Juarez said the English-first teaching model works because most of the bilingual students entering the district already have some exposure to English. And he denied any anti-Spanish effort, saying the district is providing supplemental material in Spanish.
OSPI officials in Olympia refused to talk specifically about Wapato and whether it is meeting state guidelines for bilingual education.
In 2005, the state questioned Wapato's move to utilize an English-first teaching model and blocked the district from completely eliminating dual-language classes.
"That's an ongoing situation with Wapato, and they're cooperating," said Bob Harmon, Special Programs and Federal Accountability with OSPI.
School officials will hold a forum on Nov. 30 at a location that is yet to be decided to explain the changes to parents and answer any questions, said Wapato School Board President Ron Wilcox.
Administrators are backed by the entire school board to stand firm on the change, Wilcox said.
"Until we can find any data that prove we're wrong -- and so far we haven't done that -- this is the direction we're going in," he said.
* Yakima Herald-Republic staff reporter Melissa Sánchez contributed to this story.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Bilingual Education Forum, hosted by the Wapato School District.
WHEN: 6 p.m. Nov. 30.
WHERE: To be announced.
INFORMATION: Call the district at 509-877-4181.
School Districts offering dual-language classes
* Yakima
* East Valley
* Toppenish
* Sunnyside
* Grandview
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Comments
We had better keep teaching in Spanish. We don't want the farmworker's daughter to be behind in her studies when she returns to Mexico.
Report ViolationSorry to say, but many immigrant families children had to learn English without any assistance or instruction in their first language. The children learned the language and even went home to teach their parents what they had learned in English.
I would rather see a student immersed in English and the use of Spanish to help the understanding. Like the have said a child learns a language much easier in their early years than in the later years.
Seems to me with the amount of monies being spent on bi-lingual education, that the students should be proficient in English within a three year period.
Tell me, did the boat lift children (Vietman) not learn English in a short period of time and then excel in their classroom studies.
If the parents want their children to retain their heritage, then it should be the parents responsibility to teach that to their children, not the public education system.
Maybe in with the up coming State shortfall in funding, the State should look at the cost of such programs as bi-lingual education that benefits a few students, and not cut the basic education funding for smaller class size and all day kindergarten programs that affect all students.
as a Mexican immigrant I see no issue. It only took me a couple of years to be ahead of most of my peers after only starting to learn english at age 5... 8th grade reading level at 10 years old, 12th by age 12. I never took a single ESL (english as a second language) class and I came out fine. If Wapato can't afford it then they shouldnt try to pay for it.
Should be more incentive for the kids to be bilingual.
Bravo to ogre , for telling it as it should be , and to dissembler , why should we pay to make sure a student will not get behind when she or he returns to Mexico? On the other hand , as long as they stay in Mexico I do support the idea.
Report ViolationIn Germany, and many other countries in Europe that still speak their native language, mainstream students aren't subjected to being slowed down in their learning by a non-native-speaking child. It is up to the parents to see that that child learns the language skills necessary to enter mainstream schools. The child is given a proficiency test before enrollment is allowed. In many cases, the schools set up accredited language teachers, but the parents must pay for the lessons. That is how it should be here. If a foreigner wants to assimilate, he/she should learn the language.
There is no reason on this earth that we should pay for the extra costs of translators in any situation, (ie. courts) of provide ballots in anything but English, (since foreigners are not supposed to vote anyway, right?) or for any other official purposes.
Example: I would hate to be in a court case where my translator didn't quite get the right context or made some critical error in the translation. And, who would know? Certainly not the judge. It could easily lead to a miscarriage of justice, particularly in plea-bargains and such.
Besides, it is a GOOD thing for people to be able to speak/read in a different language than their native tongue, but the native language should be the official one, regardless.
Why? This is the USA not mexico............teach them ENGLISH. They can go back to mexico and speak their language there.
Lets all learn Russian, German, Chinese, etc. they live here too! Why let the mexican population take over our land ..the land MY family and other families fought for.
WAKE UP EVERYBODY.............
I can not stand the dual language classroom theory. My son was in one when he was in at McClure when he was in 3rd grade several years ago (he is 20 now) and he got half the class room instruction that he deserved/entitled to. The teacher would give a lesson in English and then would step to the other side and teach the same thing in Spanish. If the English half completed the work they kids were instructed to sit quietly while she taught the non-English speaking kids. So instead of getting lessons for 7 hours they got it for 3.5 hours. I was livid. I spend the school year down there throwing fit before I pulled him and placed him in a non-bilingual school..yes believe it or not Yakima does or should I say did have a elementary school that was like that. It remained that way through his elementary years and through my daughters years (she is 16 now). However; her last year there the teachers were forced into becoming bilingual. Neither of my kids are bilingual and both plan on leaving this valley as soon as they graduate for Perry Tech and from high-school. I have taught them to stand up for their beliefs and that there is something beyond this valley.
Report Violationwhat about the kids whose first language is NOT Spanish? Why is my Filipino son being taught Spanish and not English? what about my Chinese neighbor or the Russian kids across the street? Why don't they get classes in their language and English? This hacks me off.
Report ViolationOh where should I start. OK.
First of all, President Ruby Takanishi from the Foundation for Child Development in New York City is an idiot! There is no anti immigration sentiment among the population or lawmakers. The great debate is about illegal immigration. Not one person or one lawmaker has argued that we should end legal immigration to the United States. I challenge him or anyone else to show where a single lawmaker has tried to end 'legal immigration' practices.
Two, every person in Wapato should be outraged that their students are scoring so poorly. But they aren't, they are upset because the bi-lingual classes are being ended. So what they are saying is, "It's ok if our kids are ignorant, as long as they are bilingual!" OK, that's a little harsh. I have nothing against bilingual education in schools as long as the program is not done to the detriment of other students. The test scores in Wapato clearly show that this is not the case and I applaud Wapato school officials to trying to solve the problem.
As far as Grandview officials saying that it works in their community. I say, show me the statistics.
Seems like a perfect thought for a new capitalistic program. Start a business teaching children to read, write and understand language. Make a small profit. The children will benefit, the parants can also attend and benefit and the business owner can also benefit.
Who is to lose?
I should also add:
Can't pay? Well, I can't afford you either.
Let me see...
Ogre, you have a good point. I too learned English at the age of 7 when i was first brought here. The benefit to that was that i communicated and made many friends.
CrisR- Instead of throwing a fit, why didn't you look at the bright side, your son/daughter learning aother language and being bi-lingual....come on man, let see the light instead of darness in idiotic thinking....
I have a korean friend whose son is in day-care with my nephew...while my nephew is bi-lingual at the age of 3...the litlle Korean is tri-lingual(korean,english,and spanish)...now in the international bussiness market who is worth more?????
-Lets quit being narrow-minded idiotic fools...there is a big world outside of Yaki-vegas....hahhahahahhahahahha
So their solution to the language barrier for spanish speaking students, is to erect an equal language barrier for the english speaking students? Ridiculous. And I don't buy for one second that english speaking kids who spend half of the day being taught in a language they don't understand, do better than kids who are taught in english all day.
The way to help spanish speaking kids is not to dumb down the entire class by teaching in spanish. Immersion is the best way for them to learn English. If they are forced to speak in English to communicate, they will learn much faster out of necessity.
This is so typical of the public school approach to everything, where they dumb down the class to accommodate the lowest common denominator. What are the results? Over half of 10th graders failed the math section of the WASL test last year. What is the spanish word for "failure"?
We need some conservatives to run for school boards up and down this valley.
This liberal mindset has gone unchecked for years and it's high time for it to be challenged.
when i sent to school, there was nothing as a dual language class, the children that didnt speak english, learned and adampted very well to the english language, as well as their parents, it was a necessity for the parents to learn english, to teach their children who were going to start school...ive been to mexico, and they expect you to speak their language, they dont make it easy to communicate with them.
i took my grandson out of a dual language school, he wasnt getting and was falling behind, now he is in a school, where he has excelled. start a school just for those who dont speak english, and gradually move then into a english speaking class room. were making it to easy, why should the parents be responsible for this....
More than once I've been standing in line at a store where mexican children are telling their mothers what the english speaking clerk is saying. Then when I leave the store I see the mother pile the kids in their car and drive off. I always ask myself....how did she get a license if she can't speak english, and how in the world does she read the road signs? The kids can't always be with her,so what does she do when she's out driving on her own? Is there a spanish version of the written drivers test being given? Do the mexicans have bi-linguel test examiners when doing the road driving test? Most of the time I wonder if the woman even has a license. I feel, if your going to live in America you should learn the english language as soon as possible. It would be expected of me if I moved to Mexico, or any other country for that matter.
Report ViolationI agree that if you cant afford it dont force it. Not sure how the program is emplemented but I dont see the wrong in having it. Its a benifit to all and how can we say no to something as valuable as a second language. It should be offered to all children.
Chrisr
My niece also attended Mcluer in a dual language class. Needless to say at 10 she can speak, write and communicate in english and spanish effectivly far better than some adults I know. She did not come from a spanish speaking house hold either.
First to overfifty: yes the drivers test is in Spanish. Wrong! should be in english if they can't read the test in english then they can't read the road signs, one would think! but your right majority don't have a license. But I think the kids should know the basics on english by 1st grade if they are to go to school. What about head start they have those all over that are for the migrants, teach them there. Our american schools should not be having to take the time out and hold back the others kids learning by having to teach english.
Report ViolationI am a dual language second grade teacher in Seattle, WA. I have to say that some of these ignorant comments without knowledge of specific data researched ahead of time, astounds me. How can you say an entire program is not effective based on one school district's test scores? If you actually took the time to research DIFFERENT TYPES of dual language models as well as inquire about specific school's test scores implementing the program, you may find that dual language instruction IS effective if implemented correctly and with sufficient materials and curriculum to enhance that instruction. For those of you who claim you know everything about dual language instruction and that the curriculum is "dumbed down," you might actually take time to OBSERVE another school's program to see if this is indeed the case. Do you actually think that we as educated teachers with Master's degrees and 8 years of education including bilingual education would actually want to waste our years of paying for school to teach something we enjoy in order to DUMB DOWN the curriculum? The topic of discussion is Wapato's test scores and model of their dual language program. This is a TRANSITIONAL bilingual program, not a 50:50 program or a 90/10 immersion program that most Seattle schools offer. I know this because I used to teach in this program in Toppenish right out of college at CWU. Of course, their test scores are different because they are teaching a different model. I find it interesting as well that our country is so ENGLISH only. Actually, if you were traveled outside the U.S. you would find that it is considered weak if you DON'T know English as a second language in Spain for example. In most European countries, students are taught multiple languages throughout their education. They enter the marketplace multilingual. So, why would we NOT give our students the benefit of bettering their English skills (for Spanish speakers) as well as give our English speakers skills necessary to succeed in a world that is immersed with Spanish speakers. I agree too, that schools should begin offering more languages such as Mandarin (the second most widely spoken language in the U.S.) Many schools are beginning to offer more languages. Of course, not every language can be offered, but at least schools are making an effort to help children be more successful. It is interesting to me to hear how much students in this program are failing in both languages when our Spanish speaking students ARE outperforming their counterparts in non-dual language classrooms. In addition, our English speakers being taught in both languages, are passing the WASL with flying colors and are able to read, write and converse in Spanish at the same time. Please do a little research and give credit to those who are knowledgeable on the subject. Let's get out of our close-minded ways and realize that there are bigger things out there to worry about than whether dual language should be taught in schools.
Report ViolationAll of these comments are great. However, if you want to see all of your brilliant ideas turned into reality, you will need to do some WORK during your lifetime to see them happening. I am an individual whom left the country via "self-deportation" last year, by the way. I graduated from a WA HS and eventually got to manage my way to graduation from WSU. I did not know English when I entered the US when I was 16 but I did not ALLOW that to get on my way to become successful, I even had the privilege of being selected for the Honors Program at the university. Furthermore, not knowing English did not prevent me from taking AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Spanish, AP Physics, AP Chemistry and eventually Honors English, not to mention that I graduated from HS with honors and within the top 5% while being an illegal immigrant. Anyways, what's the point of all this? The point that I am trying to make is that success does not recognize nationalities (neither does death!). However, I have realized that being in the US and knowing how its system works is a huge advantage over the people of the world, at least over the people in Mexico (the country I am from). Why do I say this? Well, my answer has very many "becauses," for example: because the US is the number 1 world power and its legal system is just wonderful, and this includes the USCIS. Nonetheless, I am not sure whether or not one "has to be" a foreigner to see all of this.
Anyhow, instead of being critizing each other's backgrounds and languages we should strive our hardest to benefit from the situation. But, how do we do this? Well, this where the work begins, let's put our minds to work and figure this out.
Before I go any further, I am so thankful to the US in general and to all its population for being so awesome, for being so mean, for being so supportive, and even for discriminating against me for being of a different nationality and for not speaking Standard American English (although that is no longer the case). Why do I thank you for all these things? I do thank you all for this because all those experiences showed me the way the world really is!
Now, here is the main reason I decided to join this blog: If you rally want to make a change, you need to do just that. Fist, change your strategy because posting comments on this blog will not move anybody into action, and this is so because the evidence provided to us by reality suggests so.
Have an awesome day and life.
Sincerely,
Your FELLOW RED BLODDED HUMAN FROM EARTH whom will eventually die, like you will, unfortunately.
P.S. Please do take into consideration the words that US President John F. Kennedy once said:
DO NOT ASK WHAT AMERICA CAN DO FOR YOU[... BUT PLEASE DO ASK THE OPPOSITE.] FURTHERMORE, HE ALSO INVITED THE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE ALL COULD WORK TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS THAT ARE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL. Thus, let us all learn from history so that we can create a better future because chances are that a better future will not just come out of the blue.
dual language teacher,
For every class hour spent learning Spanish, that is an hour spent not learning another subject. I don't need a masters degree in bilingual education to do that math. You can show me all the studies in the world that say learning spanish makes english speaking students better at math and science, but common sense tells me that it's bunk.
While learning Spanish is a worthy goal, it should not come at the expense of learning english, math, science, history, etc. Clearly public schools are failing to teach at least math and science, as WASL scores prove.
English speaking students should not be forced to learn spanish in American schools.
GLOBALIZATION.
If the US is to continue to be the world power (and if its citizens want to continue enjoyoing being the number 1), it not only should but must deal with the challenges globalization presents. The following quote I do cite from a very famous individual: "A DIVIDED KINGDOM WILL NOT STAND." Therefore, the US needs to find a way to handle the differences that are currently dividing it (of course, if it is to continue being the world power) - the man I am quoting from is Mr. Jesus Christ.
Additionally, on top of a bunch of other factors, being multilingual is a necessary tool to deal with globalization. An example of this is that I am writing this from Mexico (I used to live in the Yakima Valley before I self-deported myself). Therefore, if any and/or all of you are against the FACT that other languages are taught within public schools, then please DO MEAN IT and do something about it! But, what can you do? Here is a hint: push your federal government to pass a law in which English becomes the official language of the United States of America, that might help! However, please do take into consideration that other countries, like your neighboor Canada, have 2 official languages; which ones? Well, if you want to know, do some research.
However, the evidence provided to us by the current situation in the US suggests that the individuals in charge of making this changes will not do anything regarding these issues any time soon. Therefore, instead of wasting your time by adversely critizicing other pople's backgrounds spend that same time daily learning other language; hint: it does not have to be Spanish! Hint 2: Which country do many of the American businesses make their importations from? Where was your refrigerator made? And your car? If you think about it, and considering the current world tendencies, being multilingual will, at least on a more-probable-than-not basis, better equip you to face not only our current challenges but the ones to come. How will may this be so? Well, if you want to know, do some research. Hint: your research topic might be "advantages of being bilingual," and if you want to have actual facts about the opposite, research "disavantages of being a speaker of more than one language."
Anyways,
Bye!
Anyhow, the follwing is proof that ea19 (myself) does understand your point:
Yes, I know that you do not like the idea that other languages are taught within public schools especially because this is being funded with tax money. However, I am sure that many of you do get your tax money back on a yearly basis when the time for that comes. Therefore, why are you making a big deal? Let the ones who actually do fund these programs with the taxes they pay post their comments either for or against them; they are the ones entitled to do so, not the majority of us. Furthermore, those people who are learning more than one language within the public school system are the ones who will end up eventually leading the US when you get older. Therefore, let's find strategies of how we can get the best out the system for the very benefit of the US. I know you are wondering "but, how can we do this?" Well, that's where the word WORK comes in; if you really want to know research these matters, or ask the federal goverment to do so for you.
Take care.
The above drivel from duallanguageteacher is an attempt to legitimize money wasted on some lame-brained approach to learning a new language so she has a job. If you have to learn a language, with no way around it, you will. If you are given a way out, you will take it.
The larger problem here is that many who can not speak English are not or do not think of themselves as Americans. They are Latino/Mexicans or Mexican Americans and feel we should cater to them because some lefties blew smoke up thier skirts telling them they are special, have all these special rights and things owed to them (while the government enabler secures a job for him/herself.).
You know that old phrase, "You can't see the forest for the trees," kind of reminds me of this debate. Everyone is so interested in the immediate concern of how well their individual child is doing. You won't find a fair compromise between immigrants who feel their children should have a fair chance to be taught English, and people who live here who feel that it should have been their responsibility to teach their children English. Does it really matter, though? It only serves to digress the topic into the muddy waters of immigration reform and debate, and away from what matters: The kids.
There are tons of Spanish speaking kids here in the U.S., that will be here for the rest of their lives. Why don't they deserve a chance to learn English even if their parents didn't teach them? Though, a perfect world is impossible to achieve, and there are going to be immigrants here that don't speak English as long as this country remains the free world that it is, and so why would we want to deprive our children from having the language skills to welcome, greet and communicate with these new comers?
Ignorance breeds ignorance, knowledge breeds knowledge. In another generation, where a higher percentage of children are bilingual, then our children's children might be teaching their peers English and Spanish before our state government even gets a chance to bicker over who should pay for it.
It doesn't address everyone's concern, and immigration reform is a subject closely tied in with it, but largely irrelevant in the face of the facts: There are children here, that don't know English, don't have anyone to teach it to them, and are basically being deprived the quality of life they deserve just because they came here illegally with their parents or were born here by illegal parents. However what I find strange, is when people say things like, "They should teach their kids English before they get here," when their own kids are being taught how to read by public schools too. So what is it... You don't think their kids should be able to be taught by public schools the same as yours?
I'm not saying that I think dual-languages classes are better than others though. I think there should be a mix of both, and children should be taught in the language that's easier for them to grasp when teaching things like math and sciences. In the end, though, the one thing that is more at play in doing our children harm ( illegal immigrant's and legal citizens ) is standardized testing. All of this trouble is do to their "test-scores" not being high enough. Well, as a product of the "WASL" and standardized testing generation, let me tell you: You won't need to worry about your children being taught anything if we don't start to look this ugly beast in the eye. More and more kids are just taught how to pass the tests, without any regard to how well they really understand the material.
Let's face it. It doesn't matter if our children are being taught in Spanish or English, until they're explained why 2*2 - 4 instead of being told to memorize it so they can pass the test, they're not really going to know anything.
EA19 has no idea about who pays taxes. At the end of the year you may get your Federal Income Tax back but thats a small part of taxes paid. If you have a job and spend the money you make you are paying a good share in taxes, more so than the government wants you to know about.
As for wanting to know something, ask the government? What planet are you on? Thats one of the funniest things I've ever heard!
Mr. Starman,
Thanks for reading my posting. I would like to hear (read) your smart replies to what I wrote earlier, of course, only if you wish. As the one you are commenting on, you are the one who has no idea what's happening.
By the way Mr. Starman,
The evidence suggests that you might benefit from taking some English classes. For example, your cooment shows that you need to learn more about the "author's intention" and to learn to identify when something is literal and something is not; e.g., the phrase "ask the government" is sacrcasm added to actual info that wrote earlier. Anyhow, be happy and enjoy paying taxes!
Take care
ea19, what is a cooment? My english is just fine. Also add "I" to the above statement? "that wrote earlier." Sorry, the clarity in your writting just isn't there.
As per usual I will continue to push the wagon for those who can't and those who won't. Three more years and the shackles will be off and those that produce will be rewarded. The days of the free ride look to be ending for the "Rich Deadbeats", "Government Do Nothing Positions", and "Lazy Deadbeats". That will lighten the load greatly and I will be more than happy to pay for those Americans who need help. Write when you find work and have a nice day!
Hi Mr. Starman,
Thank you for your comments. You too have a nice day. At the end, we are just humans. I am also for justice and hard work!
Regards,
ea19
I know that my son was so bored with high school when he went to Davis because he did not have a choice whether or not he would take dual language classes. He was told that he had to. He stated that the classes were so slow and so little was covered in a day. I personally think it is an awesome thing to learn different languages, but my son had no interest in doing so, and it did not matter to the school. My son refused to pay attention during the bi-lingual part of the class. I do pay into the tax system, and I believe that there are more pressing issues that my tax dollars could be used for than paying for bi-lingual literature and classes.
Report ViolationTo: duallanguageteacher,
Get a clue. If the school test scores are poor then the program doesn't work. We aren't talking about Seattle, we are talking about Wapato. The tax dollars are much more limited and so schools don't always have the resources to implement the best programs. Everything done, is a compromise between the best program, what is politically correct and what they can afford.
And I have traveled outside the United States and in most countries, (Japan, Germany, China, India, Thailand) it is considered a bonus to speak English, which is considered to be the International Business Language!
Don't try talking down to people who are tired of seeing unsuccessful programs continue because they are popular. While learning a second language is great, the student should have the choice. If the United States wants to remain a world power, our children deserve the best education possible and they aren't getting it! The decision made by Wapato may not be the best, but at least they are trying to correct a problem with the knowledge and resources currently available to them.
Oh yeah. I'd love to see the data that shows that you have non English speaking students that are learning English in a dual language environment and excelling past there single language counterparts. I call @#$%! There are always exceptions, but I can assure you, that the statement you made is not the norm.
Gracious,
I know exactly what you mean by memorizing what 2 x 2 is. Several years ago I volunteered at a middle school in a math class to assist kids who were struggling. The teacher gave me some flash cards with a variety of math problems on them. She told me that the students needed to memorize the numbers and the answers. There was one student who was struggling to understand the numbers. I took the time with some paper and show them how to solve the problem. The teacher told me it was not necessary for them to know how to solve the problem she wanted them to memorize the problems and what their answers are. Rather it was subtraction, addition, division or multipication. I thought it was nuts. I told the principal that when I chose to leave from that volunteer position.
I feel sorry for some of the kids these days. Their parents do not have the time to help them with their homework and some of their teachers do not care if they understand what they are learning or why they are. Rather it be in English or Spanish.
Gracious,
"More and more kids are just taught how to pass the tests, without any regard to how well they really understand the material.
Let's face it. It doesn't matter if our children are being taught in Spanish or English, until they're explained why 2*2 - 4 instead of being told to memorize it so they can pass the test, they're not really going to know anything."
It's awfully convenient to blame the tests for students not learning math. I think it is much more likely that the tests are just exposing what had been going on all along. Instead of teachers inflating grades to hide their failures, they are now held to account by standardized tests, and they don't like it. I know the tests are not perfect, but when over half of students can't pass the math section, it's hard to believe that it's the test's fault.
yes, yes and yes.....the ilegals should learn english! To JLEE, yes you fought for the land, but whose land was it in the first place? the Native American people. they were forced to speak English! and forced into a religion that they weren't famliar with. They were killed, mutiliated over the lands...people tend to forget that era. If they didn't speak english they were whipped, chainedm and other unmentionables that were put onto them. why should we babysit our immigrants and cater to all their needs. Why are we paying medical, food stamps for them? Mexico wants their illegals to stay in the US so they can send back american dollars to Mexico!!
Report Violationyes, yes and yes.....the ilegals should learn english! To JLEE, yes you fought for the land, but whose land was it in the first place? the Native American people. they were forced to speak English! and forced into a religion that they weren't famliar with. They were killed, mutiliated over the lands...people tend to forget that era. If they didn't speak english they were whipped, chainedm and other unmentionables that were put onto them. why should we babysit our immigrants and cater to all their needs. Why are we paying medical, food stamps for them? Mexico wants their illegals to stay in the US so they can send back american dollars to Mexico!!
Report ViolationSpeak English or go home.
It is rediculous for the majority to ben to the will of the minority.
Other countries don't do it, but we have become so weak that we bow and scrape to anyone rather than just telling them to quit sniveling.
Pathetic.
The entire town of Wapato is on the Yakama Nation's lands. Why are there no dual-language courses that are offered in Yakama/English?
Report Violation
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