9:29 AM
CAUSA Communications Department
"Immigrants Speak Out on Measure 58!" was produced through the facilities of Portland Community Media (www.pcmtv.org) for the Center for Intercultural Organizing.
Showing posts with label Anti-ELL Instruction Measure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anti-ELL Instruction Measure. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Immigrants Speak Out on Measure 58
"Immigrants Speak Out on Measure 58!" was produced through the facilities of Portland Community Media (www.pcmtv.org) for the Center for Intercultural Organizing.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Eugene School District Board of Directors opposes Ballot Measure 58
This week the Eugene School District 4J Board of Directors came out in opposition to Measure 58. According to their resolution released on Wednesday, the measure would severely reduce the "district’s authority and ability to meet the unique needs our students who must learn English – while also learning academic skills".
If passed by voters in November, Measure 58 would prohibit teaching a public school student in a language other than English for more than two years. Education experts around the nation agree that the most effective way to help students learn English and promote high academic achievement has nothing to do with an arbitrary timeline.
In fact, children learn English more quickly, along with math, science and other academic subjects, when at least some of their instruction is in their native language. If passed, Measure 58 would take effective and proven teaching methods out of the hands of educators.
The Eugene School District 4J Board of Directors is projected to be just one of the many school boards that will come out in opposition to Measure 58 due to the negative and long-lasting impact it will have on children trying to learn English.
Below is a copy of Eugene School District 4J Board of Director's resolution.
Statewide Prohibition of Teaching Public School Students in Language other than English for More than 1-2 Years
WHEREAS, Ballot Measure 58 and its resulting ballot measure would establish a statewide policy that English is the "language of opportunity" and mandate that non-English speaking students shall be immersed in English so they can be mainstreamed as quickly as possible; and
WHEREAS, Ballot Measure 58 proposes to place non-English speaking students in English immersion classes for state-specified, limited time periods based on grade level (a maximum of 1 year for K-4 students; 1.5 years for grades 5-8; and 2 years for grades 9-12); and
WHEREAS, this measure and its impact is not consistent with nationally-recognized best practices for serving non-English speaking students; and
WHEREAS, current, district-specified courses being taught to assist non-English speaking students who are unable to benefit from classes taught in English would effectively be eliminated,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Eugene School District 4J Board of Directors strongly opposes Ballot Measure 58 because it severely reduces our authority and ability to meet the unique needs of our students who must learn English – while also learning academic skills.
Adopted this 20th day of August, 2008
_______________________________________________
Chair, Board of Directors
Eugene School District 4J
related links
Measure Limiting English Learning to Cost Oregonians a Quarter of a Billion Dollars
Fiscal Impact of Measure 58
Ballot Title and Statement
Anti-ELL Instruction Measure Assigned Ballot Number
If passed by voters in November, Measure 58 would prohibit teaching a public school student in a language other than English for more than two years. Education experts around the nation agree that the most effective way to help students learn English and promote high academic achievement has nothing to do with an arbitrary timeline.
In fact, children learn English more quickly, along with math, science and other academic subjects, when at least some of their instruction is in their native language. If passed, Measure 58 would take effective and proven teaching methods out of the hands of educators.
The Eugene School District 4J Board of Directors is projected to be just one of the many school boards that will come out in opposition to Measure 58 due to the negative and long-lasting impact it will have on children trying to learn English.
Below is a copy of Eugene School District 4J Board of Director's resolution.
Resolution
Statewide Prohibition of Teaching Public School Students in Language other than English for More than 1-2 Years
WHEREAS, Ballot Measure 58 and its resulting ballot measure would establish a statewide policy that English is the "language of opportunity" and mandate that non-English speaking students shall be immersed in English so they can be mainstreamed as quickly as possible; and
WHEREAS, Ballot Measure 58 proposes to place non-English speaking students in English immersion classes for state-specified, limited time periods based on grade level (a maximum of 1 year for K-4 students; 1.5 years for grades 5-8; and 2 years for grades 9-12); and
WHEREAS, this measure and its impact is not consistent with nationally-recognized best practices for serving non-English speaking students; and
WHEREAS, current, district-specified courses being taught to assist non-English speaking students who are unable to benefit from classes taught in English would effectively be eliminated,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Eugene School District 4J Board of Directors strongly opposes Ballot Measure 58 because it severely reduces our authority and ability to meet the unique needs of our students who must learn English – while also learning academic skills.
Adopted this 20th day of August, 2008
_______________________________________________
Chair, Board of Directors
Eugene School District 4J
related links
Measure Limiting English Learning to Cost Oregonians a Quarter of a Billion Dollars
Fiscal Impact of Measure 58
Ballot Title and Statement
Anti-ELL Instruction Measure Assigned Ballot Number
Friday, August 8, 2008
Measure Limiting English Learning to Cost Oregonians a Quarter of a Billion Dollars
Yesterday, it was reported that the State Financial Estimate Committee, comprised of four state officials and one local representative, put a price tag of $250 Million to Oregonians on Measure 58. The measure, placed on the November Ballot by anti-tax activist Bill Sizemore, would limit English language instruction to Oregon students to 2 years.
According to the numbers, Measure 58 would have a drastic impact on Oregon’s General Fund, slashing available funding for colleges and universities, health care, human services, public schools and public safety. In the tough economic times that Oregonians find themselves, Measure 58 would only add to hardship many already face.
So why will Measure 58 cost so much? According to the Financial Estimate Committee, $250 million will be spent in each of the first two years for training new “English immersion” teachers and aides for local school districts.
Aside from the Measure being very costly, it also imposes a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and takes away local control from teachers, parents and school districts who know what works best for their local schools. The Measure also does not make exceptions for students with learning disabilities which would require them to learn English in the same amount of time putting pressure on teachers and students.
In addition, Measure 58 would hinder the ability of ELL students to learn and grasp the English language, thereby having a detrimental impact on their future. Oregon doesn’t need an unfunded mandate that does nothing to improve our schools and puts unrealistic deadlines on how many years it takes to learn English.
Last but not least, the measure is so poorly written it doesn’t specify how the system would work, who qualifies for the program or how it would be implemented.
Taking into account all the variables, it is not hard to see that Measure 58 poses a cost too great to Oregonians.
resources:
Fiscal Impact of Measure 58
Ballot Title and Statement
"State Puts High Price Tag On Education Measures"
"Measures could slash state revenues"
According to the numbers, Measure 58 would have a drastic impact on Oregon’s General Fund, slashing available funding for colleges and universities, health care, human services, public schools and public safety. In the tough economic times that Oregonians find themselves, Measure 58 would only add to hardship many already face.
So why will Measure 58 cost so much? According to the Financial Estimate Committee, $250 million will be spent in each of the first two years for training new “English immersion” teachers and aides for local school districts.
Aside from the Measure being very costly, it also imposes a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and takes away local control from teachers, parents and school districts who know what works best for their local schools. The Measure also does not make exceptions for students with learning disabilities which would require them to learn English in the same amount of time putting pressure on teachers and students.
In addition, Measure 58 would hinder the ability of ELL students to learn and grasp the English language, thereby having a detrimental impact on their future. Oregon doesn’t need an unfunded mandate that does nothing to improve our schools and puts unrealistic deadlines on how many years it takes to learn English.
Last but not least, the measure is so poorly written it doesn’t specify how the system would work, who qualifies for the program or how it would be implemented.
Taking into account all the variables, it is not hard to see that Measure 58 poses a cost too great to Oregonians.
resources:
Fiscal Impact of Measure 58
Ballot Title and Statement
"State Puts High Price Tag On Education Measures"
"Measures could slash state revenues"
Monday, August 4, 2008
Anti-ELL Instruction Measure Assigned Ballot Number
On Friday, the Oregon Secretary of State announced the numbers for the twelve measures that will appear on the November Ballot for Oregon's 2008 General Election. Of the twelve measures, eight are those that qualified from state-wide initiatives and four are measures referred to voters by the state legislature
Bill Sizemore’s anti-ELL (English Language Learner) instruction measure which “Prohibits teaching public school students in language other than English for more than two years” has been assigned number 58.
This November, Oregonians will have the chance to reject or pass this costly measure which would take control away from local school boards, families and educators and place it in the hands of convicted racketeer Bill Sizemore.
This measure, if passed, would also hinder the ability of ELL students to learn and grasp the English language, thereby having a detrimental impact on their future.
As the “No on Measure 58” campaign gears up, CAUSA and the Oregon Coalition for Educational Equity will need volunteers for canvassing, phone banking and organizing house parties, community and voter forums.
To get more details on the campaign and how to get involved, please contact CAUSA at info@causaoregon.org, or by calling 503-984-6816.
Bill Sizemore’s anti-ELL (English Language Learner) instruction measure which “Prohibits teaching public school students in language other than English for more than two years” has been assigned number 58.
This November, Oregonians will have the chance to reject or pass this costly measure which would take control away from local school boards, families and educators and place it in the hands of convicted racketeer Bill Sizemore.
This measure, if passed, would also hinder the ability of ELL students to learn and grasp the English language, thereby having a detrimental impact on their future.
As the “No on Measure 58” campaign gears up, CAUSA and the Oregon Coalition for Educational Equity will need volunteers for canvassing, phone banking and organizing house parties, community and voter forums.
To get more details on the campaign and how to get involved, please contact CAUSA at info@causaoregon.org, or by calling 503-984-6816.
