Question

Key events in the history of bilingual education in the united states include

A. the passage by congress of the bilingual education act in 1968
B. a major 1979 court decision in Ann Arbor michigan stated that the use of black english vernacular was not an indication of a learning disability or intellectual inferiority
C. in 1998 california approval proposition 227 which supported the restriction or elimination of most bilingual instruction across the state
D. the bilingual education act expired in 2002 and was replaced by then english acquisition act which was part of the no child left behind legislation
E. all of the above

Answer 1

California's approval of Proposition 227 in 1998 is a key event in the history of bilingual education in the US, restricting most bilingual instruction. The Bilingual Education Act of 1968, however, favored bilingual education to aid non-English speakers. Both support and opposition exist within the Hispanic community regarding these programs' cultural, educational, and economic implications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The history of bilingual education in the United States has been shaped by numerous key events and legislative changes. One such significant event was California's approval of Proposition 227 in 1998, which sought to restrict or eliminate most bilingual instruction across the state. This proposition was influenced by concerns that bilingual education could prevent immigrants from learning English, potentially leading to a society with multiple ubiquitous languages, similar to the bilingual situation in Quebec, Canada.

Complementing this, the Bilingual Education Act of 1968 federally mandated bilingual education to address the educational needs of students with limited English proficiency. Despite the initial support, funding for bilingual programs was sharply curtailed during the Reagan administration, which impacted the availability of these programs for Hispanic children.

Even within Hispanic communities, bilingual education remains a controversial topic. Proponents argue for the cultural and economic benefits of multilingualism, as exemplified by the case of Lucy Alvarez, who succeeded academically and professionally due to bilingual education. On the other hand, opponents fear that not focusing on English fluency could limit integration and success in mainstream America. Immigration and Latino rights, the status of English as the official language, and the impact of bilingual education on dropout rates among Hispanic students are all pivotal considerations in this ongoing debate.