Education Debate: English or Spanish?

America can be described as a nation where freedom is eminent, where individuals can pursue individual freedoms, and engage without persecution or scrutiny for their actions. The founding fathers wrote the Constitution to enable individuals their individual rights, to be able to live under a land that allows them fairness. Is the freedom of non-English speaking Americans being compromised, when considering America as an English-only nation?

The debate of language has consistently been an issue in the United States, staring back in 1750, when the possibility of bringing in a voting poll to establish English as the official language arose. Since that time, the separation of English only debate has arose from two themes: "Opponents of moves to make English the official language of the United States frequently suspect that English-only advocates are motivated by more than political idealism. This suspicion is certainly justified by the historical record. For the past two centuries, proponents of the official-English have sounded two separate themes: one rational and patriotic, the other emotional and racist. The Enlightenment belief that language and nation are inextricably intertwined, coupled with the chauvinist notion that English is a language particularly suited to democratically constituted societies, are convincing to many Americans who find discrimination on non-linguistic grounds through reprehensible." (Baron, 1990)

From a unified government standpoint, it is certainly clear that the utilization of one language would certainly be beneficial for all individuals representing their nation. This would allow people to more easily debate and vote on new legislature. However, I believe many individuals have extracted power from the decision to seek having an English only nation, which pushes away any other individuals that do not speak English, or learning English as a second language. I do believe English should be the nation's national language, however, I believe there should be laws and regulations specifically for education matters that allow for integration of non-English speakers with emphasis placed on their success in learning English and other subjects within school. Let us not push these individuals away, but care for them as they need to be cared for to be successful in our nation; not contributing to high school dropout rates, use of state monies for food stamps and other resources; all stemming from lack of educational resources or racism.

There are many voter driven initiatives that have influenced the English only debate over the course of the past few decades. These specifically apply to how English learners work in schools to struggle for achievement.

In 1980, in Dade County, Florida, voters approved an anti-bilingual ordinance, which prohibited public funds to be used on teaching languages other than English. (usc.edu) Any materials that were written in Spanish for users that had to do with safety, education, etc. were removed and any religious ceremonies held in Spanish were halted, including marriages. This surprised me upon reading, since Florida has many non-speaking English citizens. With our proximity to Puerto Rico and many immigrants that flee from Cuba to Puerto Rico, I'm surprised that this type of ordinance would be approved in Dade County, of all places, closest to Miami, where the population of non-speaking Americans is very high.

The effects of this ordinance were huge, to remove any material for Spanish speakers, meant displacing these people, with nowhere to turn for assistance in any matters, education being at the forefront.

In 1984, New York passed many educational reforms, including foreign language requirements for all students. This also allowed all Nonnative English speakers to receive credit for proficiency in their native language. (usc.edu) I believe this act to be fair, specifically because many individuals that speak a different language are not proficient. They still have a great deal of studying and learning to make sure they have an understanding of their native language. I had friends in high school that took Spanish for Spanish speakers, where the emphasis was on writing, structure, syntax, much like a standard English class. The proficiency level for their language is usually not mastered on a whim, but they still have to study for this credit.

Many states in 1984 mandated English as their official state language. While many states strictly offered public education in English, the Bilingual Education Act created several new programs that allowed for academic excellence programs in bilingual education, with special alternative instruction and family English literacy programs. The emphasis on this act seems prevalent to the need, and supported by few. In many states, during the same year, such as California, the voters approved specific materials to be only in English. (usc.edu)

In 1990 District Judge Paul Rosenblatt strikes Arizona's official English amendment as unconstitutional. The requirement stated that state officers and employees act in English and no other language, which violates free speech rights under the First Amendment. I believe this helps people to see the importance of not limiting individuals that do not speak English, or might speak a second language. So much emphasis up to this time period seems to be placed on being an English nation, that restrictions were placed in an attempt to restrict individuals, which is the exact opposite of the freedoms our founding fathers wanted for the nation.

In 1991 President George Bush sings the National Literacy Act, which promises increased funds for services to the limited-English proficient population. In conjunction with the Bilingual Education Act reform in 1988 which provided additional funding for English learners in schools, programs were created and adapted to further instruct English learners. (usc.edu)

The English only debate, even with passage of laws seems to have throttled back and forth amongst the voters and the nation. Education reforms have sought to education English learners to the best of their ability, however, funding is the major factor that dictates success of many programs for English learners. In addition to programs designed for immersion within English that does not adequately prepare English learners to perform for success.

The debate will continue, reforms will continue to enact strict disciplines that change education as a whole for English learners. It is my hope that consistency and proficiency can be found within these debates and reforms.

References

Crawford, James. Bilingual education: History, politics, theory, and practice. Trenton, N.J.: Crane Publishing, 1989.

Do You Speak American? http://www.pbs.org/speak/seatosea/officialamerican/englishonly/ Acquired September 2, 2010.

Lu, Mei- Yu. English-Only Movement: Its Consequences for the Education of Language Minority Children. http://www.indiana.edu/~reading/ieo/digests/d139.html Acquired September 2, 2010.

Draper, Jamie. Et all. A Chronology of the Official English Movement. http://www.usc.edu/dept/education/CMMR/PolicyPDF/OfficialEnglishDraperJimenez.pd f. Acquired September 2, 2010.