Bilingual Education
Los Angeles School District officials are preparing a massive increase in bilingual programs. This will include all classes from pre-kindergarten through high school with stepped-up bilingual activity at all levels. It will require a substantial increase in the number of bilingual teachers together with monetary incentives for recruiting and retaining them. Special separate “language centers” are contemplated for various groups of limited-English students.
It is imperative that the taxpaying public be provided a realistic estimate of the cost of these programs before they are adopted.
There are now 81 languages spoken by Los Angeles students. The precedent having been established, how many more groups will require bilingual aid to be provided by the generous board? This issue must be faced before further steps are taken. We are verging upon the most confused system ever devised anywhere for imparting education. If we are to remain a united nation, we must adhere to a common language beginning as early in life as possible. The board is embarking on a course that will entail ruinous costs and result in bitterly divisive consequences.
WILLIAM J. MORRISON
Sun Valley
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