English (second language)

Proposed Rules on "Nondiscrimination Under Programs Receiving Federal Financial Assistance through the Education Department"

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:43:47 -0500

In this testimony, Al Shanker urges the U.S. Department of Education that rules concerning bilingual education not be adopted. He states that the rules as written would cause undue financial burden on local schools to meet federal mandates with little federal funding. He further argues that the assessment methods for selecting students to receive bilingual education are flawed, and he notes the lack of teachers able to teach bilingual students. The rules address teacher training, which Shanker applauds, but he finds fault with their specifics. read more »

Testimony on H.R. 2682, the Bilingual Education Improvement Act of 1983

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:50:34 -0500

Al Shanker testifies before the Subcommittee on Elementary, Secondary and Vocational Education of the U.S. House of Representatives. He gives AFT's endorsement to H.R. 2682, a bill to reform the current bilingual education legislation. He highlights four points from the bill that he believes will improve the current situation. read more »

Testimony on Limit on Bilingual/Bicultural Immersion

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:40:37 -0500

In this testimony, Al Shanker discusses Titles I and VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. For Title I, he recommends funding for basic skills training and a literacy initiative. For Title VII, he asserts that the bilingual education program should remain but urges that its transitional nature be enforced so that the program is used to move non-English-speaking students into English-speaking classrooms. Shanker also calls for more funding to train teachers in bilingual education settings. Finally, Shanker discusses the flaws in desegregation programs.