Special texts for immigrant learners urged

The Sacramento Bee ^ | 09/11/06 | By Judy Lin -- Bee Capitol Bureau

[garbageseeker]

Hoping to appeal to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's immigrant roots, educators and legislators Thursday called on the Austrian-born leader to support the use of special textbooks geared toward students born outside the United States. "You're also an immigrant. You still know exactly what I'm talking about, governor," Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Whittier, said during a news conference promoting her bill aimed at bridging the gap between native and non-native students.

Senate Bill 1769 would require the state Board of Education to develop an approach to teaching reading and writing that incorporates English instruction for non-native speakers. Advocates envision textbooks and teaching materials that help build vocabulary in a relevant context, such as names of the elements in a chemistry class. The Republican governor's spokeswoman, Margita Thompson, said Schwarzenegger is open to working with the Legislature. However, she said he doesn't want to compromise the same high learning standard expected of all California schoolchildren.

"He doesn't want students segregated just because English isn't their native language," Thompson said.

Earlier this summer, Democrats pulled $1.6 million in funding to the state Board of Education in retaliation for the board's rejection of the proposed English learner curriculum.

Escutia, chairwoman of the Latino Legislative Caucus, said she has not spoken to Schwarzenegger since.

Backers say there's a growing achievement gap between native and non-native learners -- a statement the administration disputes. Supporters of SB 1769 say curriculum standards approved by the Board of Education in April do not adequately address the needs of immigrants.

[garbageseeker]

Barf Alert.

[SmoothTalker]

What a load of crap. We need to deport some of these "students" not coddle them.

[mtbopfuyn]

Here we go again. Arnie did it legally.

[garbageseeker]

bump

[SpaceBar]

Barf Alert.

Absolutely. Generations of asian kids didn't need all these educational crutches. Go to your local bioengineering firm for proof. When you see "language" above read spanish.

[garbageseeker]

Generations of asian kids didn't need all these educational crutches

You are right, Asian students have the highest academic scores in California. Because their parents stress the value of an education while Hispanic parents do not.

[bruinbirdman]

"appeal to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's immigrant roots, educators and legislators Thursday called on the Austrian-born leader to support the use of special textbooks geared toward students born outside the United States."

OK, print them in German.

yitbos

[AmeriBrit]

What is wrong with these students spending some of their time at a library if they feel so segregated and put on because of the language barrier, instead of hard working legal citizens having to foot the bill for every little whim that comes along.

Look at all the bills being considered and passed in Sacramento. 99.9% involve illegals, gays and lesbians, and teaching perverted sex choices to kindergarten thru K12. The hard working legal citizens are now being discriminated against.

[thoughtomator]

Hopefully these "special texts" will include detailed instructions and maps, along with epic poems extolling the virtues of returning to Mexico.

[garbageseeker]

What is wrong with these students spending some of their time at a library if they feel so segregated and put on because of the language barrier, instead of hard working legal citizens having to foot the bill for every little whim that comes along.

Charlize Theron learned English by watching television. Libraries are free.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Protest Sign:

English
Illiterates
Unfair to
Textbooks

[AmeriBrit]

Charlize Theron learned English by watching television.

---

Unless I'm very much mistaken, I believe Arnie said in his Bio that's also the way he learned English.

I have a German girlfriend who learned by watching Soap Opera's.

[X918]

"Special" in this particular case means "Lazy and Stupid".

If they really wanted to learn English ,they would. But they are lazy and/or too stupid.

[Czar]

You just have to see this one...

[Amerigomag]

Strangely, I have no serious objection to this proposal to accelerate English learning skills.

AS LONG AS THE STUDENT WHO USES THE TEXT BOOK ..

PAYS AN UNSUBSIDIZED PRICE FOR THE TEXT BOOK ..

WITH MONEY HE OR HIS PARENTS ..

EARNED BY WORKING.

[calcowgirl]

G-r-e-a-t .... Just great. :-(

And what language would they like them printed in?
I assume since our ballots are not published in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Japanese, and Korean, that would be the minimum.

Ain't "diversity" grand?

[King Moonracer]

"He doesn't want students segregated just because English isn't their native language," Thompson said.

Thats right, just continue to screw the American born English speaking kids, by slowing the class down.

[garbageseeker]

Bump

[Czar]

"AS LONG AS THE STUDENT WHO USES THE TEXT BOOK ..

IS IN THIS COUNTRY LEGALLY

PAYS AN UNSUBSIDIZED PRICE FOR THE TEXT BOOK ..

WITH MONEY HE OR HIS PARENTS ..

EARNED BY WORKING.

I refuse to pay for the education of illegal aliens. No exceptions.