The Newport-Mesa Unified School District board is scheduled to approve its new English as a second language program–a move complicated by last week’s passage of Proposition 227.

?????The measure, approved overwhelmingly by voters, essentially ends bilingual education in the state.

?????Under the plan that Newport-Mesa trustees had preliminarily approved two weeks ago, a first level would have given language arts instruction in their native language to kindergartners and first-graders who had little command of English.

?????Susan Despenas, assistant superintendent for elementary education, said that once they learn to read in their native language–Spanish for most–those students usually pick up English reading quickly in their second year.

?????With the passage of Proposition 227, Despenas said, the district will have to eliminate that first level of its three-tiered Program for English Language Learners. The other levels offer instruction in English for all classes, regardless of the students’ fluency levels, with clarification in students’ native language as needed.

?????The board is scheduled to revise and give final approval to the plan tonight. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the district’s headquarters, 2985A Bear St., Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 424-5000.



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