Westminster Tackles State on Bilingualism

Education: In a split vote, district sends message it wants more control over how to teach its students with limited English.

WESTMINSTER—A resolution blasting the state’s requirements for bilingual teachers as “unwarranted, unfeasible and counterproductive” was approved Monday night by trustees of the Westminster School District.

Trustee Sondra Rinker said the resolution, the first of its kind to be approved in the county, “is making a statement that we’re going to stand up and fight. We’re not going to sit by and kiss the state’s backside anymore.”

Under current state rules, the district must have 89 teachers who speak Spanish or Vietnamese to instruct students who speak those languages. Because the district doesn’t have nearly that many, more than 60 teachers now are taking language classes.

Proponents of the resolution contend classes can be taught just as effectively with the help of bilingual aides.

The board approved the resolution on a 3-2 vote following a heated debate.

Trustee Nancy L. Blumenthal criticized the resolution as “inflammatory” and said it makes a political issue out of academic judgment on the best way to educate children.

“It seems to stress teaching in English instead of stressing academic achievement, and I have a problem with that,” she said.

Trustee Kathy Stirling Iverson, who cast the other no vote, said the resolution “sends the wrong message, and I’m concerned about its polarizing effect on the community. It gives the impression that we’re anti-bilingual education.”

The resolution calls on all state legislators and education officials to “return control to local school districts to determine which method of instruction is appropriate for their limited-English-proficient students.”

Officials for the Anaheim Union School District considered a similar resolution last week but postponed a decision on whether to approve it.

About 43% of the Westminster district’s students have limited proficiency in English. About 82% of classes are taught in English only and 18% have bilingual aides. Only two classes are taught exclusively in Spanish, district spokeswoman Audrey Brown said.

Trustee Michael J. Verrengia said the resolution, which he supported, nevertheless “does nothing more than put the district on record as saying to the state Board of Education, ‘We don’t agree with the way you are administering bilingual education.’ You can take this resolution and a quarter and get a cup of coffee. It’s not going to change a thing.”

He added that “we’re still going to have to go back and forth with the state, and if we want the money we’ll still have to do what they say.”



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