Prop 227 Points of Contention

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What are the main points of contention surrounding this issue? Be sure to thoroughly discuss contrasting perspectives and the underlying reasons explaining the different positions people take on this topic.

The main arguments surrounding Prop 227, is whether or not bilingual programs should be in schools in California. Some argue that having bilingual programs doesn’t help the student to learn English, it just reinforces their native language. Also it has be said that test scores supposedly did not improve in the bilingual programs. On the other hand though, people are arguing that the English Immersion programs do not work because for smaller children they must learn how to read and write in their native language to be able to comprehend it in English. Prop 227, is a big controversy for students, teachers, parents, and administration, due to the fact that most of them have a different view on how ELLs should be educated.

The people in support of Prop 227 state that it gives them more say so in how their child is being taught in the public school system. For example “Parents or guardians may waive the above requirement if they are able to show that a child already knows English, has special needs, or would learn English faster through an alternate instructional technique.” (Linton, 2007). In this way it gives parents a better sense of control over the educational system. Over ten years, it can be said that the state will pay out $50 million per year to provide students with English tutoring. All in support, also believe that the bilingual programs are ineffective and poorly implemented and that Americans should speak English. In 1997, alone only 6.7 percent of limited- English students in California learned enough English t...

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...cultural Education 18.2 (2007): 111-128. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Nov. 2011.

• Haas, Werner. "The Pros and Cons of Bilingual Education." Associated Content . Yahoo, 1 June 2007. Web. 5 Nov. 2011.

• Elsa Valdez “Winning the Battle, Losing the War: Bilingual Teachers and Post-Proposition 227” The Urban Review

• Preserving Privilege, Jewelle Gibbs and Teiahsha Bankhead, 3/2001, pg 122-123:

• Official June 1998 Voter Pamphlet: Analysis and Arguments on Prop 227:

• Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 22, 1998 11:13 Smart Voter '98 Copyright © 1998 League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.

• http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_227,_the_%22English_in_Public_Schools%22_Initiative_(1998)

• http://primary98.sos.ca.gov/VoterGuide/Propositions/227noarg.htm

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