Final answer:
Students in Spanish-speaking countries often learn a second language starting in elementary school, emphasizing language skills early on. In contrast, U.S. schools typically do not prioritize learning a second language at such an early stage, with exceptions in areas with high percentages of Spanish speakers. Bilingual education in the U.S. has faced financial and political challenges, even as it offers academic and professional advantages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the provided information pertaining to schools in Spanish-speaking countries and comparing them with schools in the United States, we can see a clear emphasis on bilingual education elsewhere. While in U.S. schools, learning a second language is not always prioritized at the elementary level, with only 10% of K–12 students learning English as their second language, it is markedly different in many Spanish-speaking countries and other parts of the world. Students often begin learning a second language in elementary school, emphasizing the importance of language skills from an early age.
In the U.S., bilingual education is more common in areas with high percentages of Spanish speakers, as the story of Lucy Alvarez demonstrates. Despite challenges, bilingual education programs have shown to provide long-term academic and professional benefits, though financial constraints and political opposition have limited their availability in some regions. The nonbinding resolution in New Mexico celebrating proficiency in multiple languages further reinforces the value placed on bilingualism.