AZ: Horne (R) threatens dual language learning model, but advocates push back
Public school advocates are calling on the state board of education to protect dual language instruction, delivering a petition on Thursday signed by nearly 3,000 Arizonans who oppose Superintendent Tom Horne’s recent threats against the teaching model.
Horne warned last month that his administration would withhold funding from schools using the 50-50 dual language model. Under the model, English language learners — students not yet proficient in English — are taught in the language for half of the school day and in their native language for the other half. As many as 26 school districts are at risk of losing their funding.
“Superintendent Horne’s unjust assault on this model goes beyond his authority and compromises the quality of education for ELL students,” wrote Stand for Children Arizona in a letter to state education officials. “We call on the Arizona State Board of Education to act swiftly and publicly ensure protections for the 50-50 dual language model.”
At issue is whether dual language programs violate state law. Horne argues that Proposition 203, which Arizonans approved in 2000 and his staff helped promote at the time, outlaws teaching English learners in any language other than English until they’ve achieved proficiency. But a law passed in 2019 by lawmakers concerned over the academic struggles English learners were facing paved the way for new instructional models. Shortly after, the state education board developed four teaching models schools could choose from, three of which centered around English immersion and a fourth that is dual language based.
Democratic lawmakers have requested a legal opinion from the state’s attorney general on whether or not dual language programs comply with the provisions in Proposition 203. No opinion has yet been issued.
https://www.azmirror.com/2023/07/14/horne-threatens-dual-language-learning-model-but-advocates-push-back/
