'Rabble-rouser' behind anti-bilingual push
Tom Collins
PHOENIX - As a measure to undo bilingual education moves toward the November ballot, opponents blame an out-of-state rabble-rouser for raising the issue. The measure, English for the Children, is politically motivated, said Alejandra Sotomayor, a Tucson Unified School District curriculum specialist and official with the Language Education Council. The beneficiary, she says, is backer Ron Unz, the controversial entrepreneur turned activist who pushed a similar effort in California two years ago. Unz, a software millionaire and failed California Senate candidate, says he has already dumped about $100,000 to the campaign. "It builds a name for Ron Unz. He's like a carpetbagger," Sotomayor said. Unz however rejects that notion. "I personally think children should be taught English in schools. I think it makes a lot of sense," Unz said. "I also think that the people of Arizona should have the right to decide whether children in Arizona are taught English. All I'm doing right now is helping to make sure that people have the right to vote on it," he said. In polls conducted last year, the measure showed 70 percent support in Arizona, he said. Arizona backers of the initiative turned to Unz because his California initiative has already been found constitutional and because they hope to start a domino effect in other states. "He's an American, he's free to help anyone he wants," said Maria Mendoza, a co-chairman of the Arizona group English For Children Committee. Critics of the measure, however, say the initiative is an attack on parental choice and say it's misguided. About 70 percent of Hispanic students, for example, aren't even in bilingual courses, said Richard Ruiz, a University of Arizona language professor. "What accounts for the large dropout rate among Hispanics now can't be bilingual education," Ruiz said. |