Posted on 07/09/2007 9:21:44 AM PDT by Dubya
AUSTIN — Students trying to learn English and those who already speak the language are typically separated into different classrooms at most schools.
But a dual language immersion program state lawmakers approved this session will pair those children together in an effort to help all of them become bilingual. The six-year pilot program will be tried out in up to 10 Texas public school districts and 30 campuses.
Lawmakers who supported the bill say it tries to address the reality of Texas schools. More than 40 percent of first-graders in the state's largest urban school districts — Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth — had limited proficiency in English.
"If we don't educate the children, we're not going to have a viable work force, and if we don't have a viable and educated work force, we're not going to be attractive to the economic development that our state leaders continue to say that Texas is all about," said Jesse Romero, a San Antonio-based legislative consultant for the Texas Association For Bilingual Education.
Instead of waiting until high school, children who already speak English can start learning another language when they are younger and more adept at doing so, said House Public Education Chairman Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands.
"We know that dual language works, but we have failed to articulate the benefits of placing native English speakers in dual language programs," said Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, sponsor of the Senate version of the bill. "They will learn Spanish or some other language, becoming bilingual and biliterate. When they are little, you can do that."
But others say the pilot program will turn students into lab rats and worry it will dilute the need to master English.
"I think we are worshipping at the feet of diversity," said Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball. "There's nothing wrong with diversity, but to minimize English as the primary language of this nation is a mistake, and I think it's a mistake for our kids. Kids need to master the English language, period."
At Cedar Brook Elementary in the Spring Branch school district, dual language immersion programs have been successful, said former principal Catherine Robinson. After obtaining a federal grant to try a dual language program, preliminary results indicate the school will be ranked exemplary after two years of recognized ratings.
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Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com
Unbelievable!
Sounds to me like a scheme to slow down the English speaking kids, while keeping the Spanish speaking kids from learning English. If I were a parent and my child chosen for this experiment, I would be suing the school district.
This is partly why I left Austin and took my family with me. If they pull that crap out in the country where I’m at now they’re going to be in for a world of hurt.
Bump!
Disgusting. And in Texas, too. Just keep giving them any quarter, and watch them grab your face and twist it for you.
This is happening all over Texas. It’s getting to the point that a teacher has to be bilingual to get hired. [bilingual = Spanish and English speaking. Languages besides Spanish do not count. You have to take an oral test which designates your level of bilingual-ness.]
It’s the United States and English is the language. Learn it or suffer.
Press 2 for English
Illegal Immigrants Poem
I cross ocean, poor and broke,
Take bus, see employment folk.
Nice man treat me good in there
Say I need to see welfare.
Welfare say, “You come no more,
We send cash right to your door.”
Welfare checks, they make you wealthy,
Medicaid it keep you healthy!
By and by, I got plenty money,
Thanks to you, American dummy.
Write to friends in motherland,
Tell them ‘come fast as you can.’
They come in turbans and Ford trucks,
I buy big house with welfare bucks
They come here, we live together,
More welfare checks, it gets better!
Fourteen families, they moving in,
But neighbor’s patience wearing thin.
Finally, white guy moves away,
Now I buy his house, and then I say,
“Find more aliens for house to rent.”
And in the yard I put a tent.
Send for family they just trash,
But they, too, draw the welfare cash!
Everything is very good,
And soon we own the neighborhood.
We have hobby — it’s called breeding,
Welfare pay for baby feeding.
Kids need dentist? Wife need pills?
We get free! We got no bills!
American crazy! He pay all year,
To keep welfare running here.
We think America darn good place!
Too darn good for the white man race.
If they no like us, they can scram,
Got lots of room in Pakistan.
SEND THIS TO EVERY AMERICAN
TAXPAYER
YOU KNOW
this is what is going on in America !!!!!!!!!!!!
What will happen here is the English speakers will learn Spanish but most of the Spanish speakers will not learn English. Then we will be further along in becoming a truly bi-lingual nation.
Assimilation is going just fine. We Anglos will be fully assimilated within another generation or so.
But then, who will pick the tomatoes and work in the chicken processing plants and do the gardening? *sigh*
susie
Excellent point.
The Hispanic Challenge By Samuel P. Huntington
The long term impact is to make this a bilingual country with two official languages, English and Spanish. This program will just institutionalize the process leading to the official sanctioning of a bilingual country.
The school system sends a far different message: Learn both Spanish and English and only those who can speak English will suffer.
“dual language immersion program”...get me the barf bag!!
Instead of waiting until high school, children who already speak English can start learning another language when they are younger and more adept at doing so,.....O.K., isn’t German or Russian another language also?....
Total immersion works, sprinkling does not.
Multiculturalism is a cancer.
People from around the world come to America as a beacon of freedom and opportunity.
To do that, they must first be assimilated into American culture and values.
They must be Americans first and always, or else they can get the hell away fast.
They do not come to America to be subject to Sharia law or a transplanted African commune.
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