Two Schools Defy Odds
How unfortunate that the article was so misleading. Your article implied that the effectiveness of the two programs cited was the result of specific approaches, including the absence of bilingual education. How inaccurate!
The 1989 study did not address effective programs for limited-English proficient (LEP) students. In addition, the two Inglewood sites had small LEP populations in 1989. I am concerned that the article implicated bilingual programs without appropriate research data. The LAUSD has data that clearly show the benefits of a well-implemented bilingual program.
The Los Angeles Unified School District’s bilingual programs have the goal of assisting LEP students gain English proficiency and academic achievement. Too bad that the two fine principals failed to make the connection.
AMELIA McKENNA
Assistant Superintendent, Language Acquisition and Bilingual Development Branch, LAUSD
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