Proposition 227 Implementation

All across Ventura County a new school year is beginning. Like many teachers, I have been trying to prepare to work with the new law that came from Proposition 227.

Several districts have been working hard to implement this law and protect the limited rights it gives parents, though with many obstacles.

I have addressed the teachers of my district as well as the public via TV, radio and at meetings about how it is not illegal for students to speak in Spanish or any other language. The 227 law only deals with instruction. Class rules should not include “English only.”

Materials can still be used as a supplement to the child’s education. School libraries can still check out “Don Quixote” in the language of Cervantes.

Parents can still make inquiries and get information in their first language. Parents have the right to ask that their child be placed in a bilingual atmosphere while they learn academic English. Of course these rights only take effect with the school administration’s approval, and only if 19 other children’s parents make the same request.

I will implement the law to the best of my ability. In fact, I will instruct 100% of the time in English for the first 30 days or until a bilingual-waiver classroom is given to me. If the children are truly integrated into the student population, they will be lucky to have a teacher who can communicate in their native language if necessary. Any help given in the first language will give a false image of support from the school system.

This law shows the intolerance of our society concerning newer immigrants than ourselves. I am confident that it will be overturned in time. I hope students will not be hurt too much by this bad law.

DENIS O’LEARY, President, Ventura County Chapter, California Assn. for Bilingual Education, Santa Paula