State School Superintendent opposes anti-ESL Measure

Castillo opposes language initiative

Schools chief and Hispanic leaders discuss education

By Mackenzie Ryan
Statesman Journal

State schools superintendent Susan Castillo told Hispanic leaders Wednesday that she's against a ballot measure that limits to one or two years the time students can be taught in a language other than English.

Initiative No. 19 received enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. If passed, it would limit the time English-language learners can be taught in their native languages or take English as a Second Language classes.

It calls for students to be "mainstreamed with English-speaking students in the shortest time possible."

"I'm really concerned about it," Castillo said of the proposed statutory amendment. "It's going to take a lot of us educating people about why it's not helpful." >>continue to full article

Posted in: Anti-ESL Measures,Education,Election 2008,Oregon Ballot Measures,Susan Castillo