Bilingual Ed Reform Gets 7-0 Board Nod
The Board of Education unanimously approved the first major overhaul of bilingual education in nearly three decades yesterday, giving parents more of a say in how their children are taught English. Board members voted 7 to 0 to approve Chancellor Harold Levy's $75 million plan to move some 160,000 students into all-English classes faster. Board President William Thompson called the overhaul a "giant step forward. This is an important day for education in New York City." Other elements of Levy's plan include limiting the time students spend in bilingual and English as a Second Language programs to three years, and creating an intensive ESL option where students would have more time to learn the language. The movement to revamp bilingual education picked up steam after a Board of Education study last year revealed half of immigrant students remained in bilingual and ESL classes after the state-mandated three years, and some languished in those classes for up to nine years. But at least two board members voiced concern the plan might collide with the 26-year-old court order that created bilingual ed in the city. Their concern revolves around whether the new plan will end the automatic assignment of students to bilingual education. Bilingual advocates also said the plan eventually might wind up in court. "It's problematic and possibly a basis for a legal confrontation," said Luis Reyes, a Brooklyn College professor and former board member. Thompson said he was "not worried about that." "We have been careful to stay within" the boundaries of a previous court ruling, he said. With Jose Martinez. |