Ron Unz Endorses Challenger Tom Horne for Arizona State Superintendent of Schools, Faults Jaime Molera for Not Enforcing Prop. 203

Palo Alto, CA—Ron Unz, the controversial California businessman who has organized campaigns to dismantle bilingual education in California, Arizona, and several other states, today endorsed challenger Tom Horne for Arizona Superintendent of Schools, arguing that Jaime Molera, the unelected incumbent, had failed to enforce Proposition 203, Arizona?s landmark November 2000 initiative dismantling Spanish-only instruction.

?Jaime Molera opposed Prop. 203 during the initiative campaign and has subsequently provided absolutely no leadership in enforcing Arizona?s laws against Spanish-only instruction in the classroom. During our conversations over the last few weeks, he refused to firmly crack-down on the many schools and districts that are still teaching Latino students in Spanish rather than in English. Arizona needs a State Superintendent of Schools who will enforce the laws and ensure that all students are taught English in the classroom.?

By contrast, Unz noted that Horne has repeatedly indicated his intention of making enforcement of Proposition 203 a centerpiece of his campaign and a top priority for his planned administration.

?Tom Horne originally solicited my support for his campaign many months ago, and after witnessing his firm commitment to the issue and the unelected incumbent?s endless inaction, I have decided to endorse him. A vote for Tom Horne is a vote to enforce Arizona law and require all children to be taught English in school. A vote for Jaime Molera is a vote to ignore Arizonae law and keep tens of thousands of Latino schoolchildren trapped in Spanish-almost-only instruction.?

Unz noted that recent test score data from California has shown that limited-English students not in bilingual education perform up to three times better academically than similar students in bilingual education. ?Jaime Molera?s lack of willingness to enforce Prop. 203 represents educational malpractice of the worst kind.?

Arizona?s Proposition 203 ?English for the Children? initiative passed in November 2000 with 63% of the vote despite being outspent some ten-to-one in advertising and opposed by nearly all Arizona?s most senior elected officials. Similar measures are currently moving toward the ballot in Massachusetts and Colorado.


Comments are closed.