PASADENA Despite an official policy that classes be taught at least 80 percent in English, some district teachers say they are being told to eliminate any signs of foreign languages in their class rooms,

Pasadena Unified School District officials came up with the 80 percent rule after voters in California passed Proposition 227, which restricts bilingual education.

That plan was approved by the school board Aug. 4.

But Larry McKiernan, an Allendale Elementary School teacher who was a vocal opponent of the measure, said he and other district teachers have been told not to have any signs or classroom decorations in Spanish or languages other than English.

“Teachers have been told don’t put primary language artwork or posters or other such things on the walls,” McKiernan said at Tuesday’s school board meeting, accompanied by about a half dozen colleagues.

“We’ve also been told not to allow students to write in Spanish,” he said. “We believe that this is not in the spirit of what was said on Aug. 4.” At the meeting, superintendent Vera Vignes asked that she work with Christine Johns, assistant superintendent of curriculum instruction, to resolve those issues.

“I hope, in time, your needs will be met,” Vignes said. “This is a growing period and it’s not easy.”

Johns said on Friday she could not directly address the complaints until she and the teachers meet this week.

But she said so far there have not been any requests from parents to waive their kids back into traditional bilingual programs.

“The voice of the community has been silent,” she said. “Parents are not calling and complaining about the English only policy.”

Rather than having full bilingual classes, in which primary instruction is done in students’ native languages – generally Spanish – the district uses sheltered English immersion classes, where most of the teaching is in English.

While English is tile language of classroom instruction, teachers sometimes still talk to students in Spanish or other foreign languages on an individual basis, Johns said.

Students can also be placed in an “English-language mainstream” program, where English learners are mixed with native English speakers or students who already speak English reasonably well.

Implementation of Proposition 227 has also led to some Spanish-only textbooks going unused. But the books are not stamped, meaning the publisher will still take them back, Johns said.

The district has until December to return the books. By that time, all limited-English proficient students will long have been placed in their proper classrooms, Johns said.

Enforcement of Proposition 227 rests with parents, who can sue teachers if they believe their children aren’t being taught enough in English.

Staff Writer Pat Karlak contributed to this story.



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