Parents air concerns at meeting

Focus is treatment of Hispanic children

SAN BERNARDINO—About 35 parents turned out to a community meeting Thursday to voice their concerns about the treatment of Hispanic and disabled children in the San Bernardino school district. Some said the schools had violated their children’s rights, withheld information and were understaffed.

School officials, however, said they have worked hard to strengthen their programs but welcomed the scrutiny and comment.

The informal gathering was hosted by the federal Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights, which sent a team of investigators to San Bernardino schools this week to explore allegations that students with limited English skills are being denied an adequate education. The special education program also is under scrutiny.

Louis Garcia, a civil rights attorney conducting the investigation, told parents at the meeting that his four-member team already has visited two middle schools and five elementary campuses.

“We want to know how your kids in English language instructional programs are doing,” he said. “While they’re learning English, are they learning their academics? ” Garcia also questioned parents about which programs they viewed as more effective: English immersion or bilingual.

Parents stood up one after another to share their complaints.

Many spoke confidentially to the civil rights investigators later in the evening. The meeting was held at the district’s language assessment center.

Carmen Morales, a representative of the district parent bilingual advisory committee, said often basic information is withheld from Spanish-speaking parents about school rules, policy changes and school site crises plans. Parents are often left in the dark, she said.

“We should be informed of any major changes in the schools,” the Highland resident said through an interpreter. “It’s important to know about things like dress code, for example, because right now if my son is not dressed properly, how would I even know? ” Parent Soledad Castillo worried that there are not enough bilingual tutors at the schools to nudge the children along in their academics.

“At some schools there are only one or two, so they only have time to spend 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there,” she said through an interpreter. “That isn’t enough. ”

Some parents and teachers came out, they said, just to become better versed on the issues and listen to parent gripes.

San Bernardino parent Meg Johnson said she had assumed that the passage of Prop. 227 last June had wiped out all bilingual programs.

“I don’t understand why people keep talking about bilingual education,” she said. “I thought it had been eliminated. I just don’t understand. ”

Under the anti-bilingual education initiative approved last year, districts are required to provide bilingual classes at schools where 20 or more parents sign waivers. Otherwise, the new law requires all instruction to be overwhelmingly in English.

The Mexican-American Political Association banded together in December with the California Parents Association, an education advocacy group, and alleged that the San Bernardino school district was improperly banning Hispanic children with limited English skills from bilingual classes. Concerns also were raised about children in special education not being treated fairly.

Delfina Bryant, who oversees programs for students learning English in San Bernardino, said she was not daunted by the investigation.

“I think it’s good for parents to be able to come here tonight and get their concerns out,” she said. “I’m just listening to see if there’s anything we need to do differently. ”

Federal investigators also will hear from parents and teachers today from 8 a.m. to noon at the language assessment center, 1535 W. Highland Ave.



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