 |
U.S. House to Consider Limitation of Bilingual Education
The U.S. House of Representatives will consider legislation that schools could teach non-English-speaking students in their native tongue for only three years before moving them into regular classrooms, House officials said Saturday.
The measure, which closely resembles a proposal in President George W. Bush's education plan, would require schools receiving federal bilingual funds to move students into English-speaking classes after three consecutive years of enrollment, a practice already taking root in many school districts but opposed by some bilingual educators.
Principals would have the option of giving students an extra year to become proficient, but a school's federal funds could be reduced if teachers don't move enough children into mainstream classes.
Advocates of the current system, which often teaches students for years in their native tongue, oppose time limits for English fluency. They have said children learn at different rates and come from increasingly different backgrounds.
Meanwhile, critics of the current system have said that it keeps children from learning English and waters down their lessons.
The bilingual measure will be considered by House lawmakers next week as they debate major education legislation. While the Senate, which is considering its own version, did not mandate the transition to English-speaking classes.
In This Section
|