Bush and Bilingual Education Editorial
New evidence is confirming two conservative ideas about education: that immersion in English is the best way to teach immigrant children, and that vouchers work. California mandated the former policy in a ballot initiative two years ago, and rising test scores suggest that it is working. And a new study of poor kids awarded private scholarships shows them scoring six points higher on math and reading tests after two years than their peers left behind in public schools. Yet George W. Bush persists in supporting bilingual education, and his support for school choice is tepid. His recent "education week" on the campaign trail spent more time promising federal grants to various interest groups than promoting either idea. Bush likes to call himself "a reformer with results." He should start paying attention to reforms that are actually showing some. |