June 3, 1998

California Voters Give Bilingual Education Failing Grade

California voters yesterday gave bilingual education a resounding defeat. Over 60 percent of them voted to approve Proposition 227 and eliminate bilingual education programs.  The measure enjoyed majority support among the supposed beneficiaries of bilingual programs— Hispanics—who are actually its principal victims.

According to Linda Chavez, President of the Center for Equal Opportunity, "This is the first time the general public has had its say on the subject of bilingual education.  No group supports delaying children’s acquisition of English except the educational bureaucracy and ethnic activists who financially benefit from bilingual education."  A survey of Hispanic parents by CEO revealed that most want their children to learn English as soon as possible.

Organizations like MALDEF (the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund) have threatened a legal challenge to California’s vote. "The professional Hispanic activists who challenge Prop. 227 can no longer claim to represent the interests of Hispanic parents who voted against bilingual education and want their children to learn English as quickly as possible,"  Chavez said. She added that CEO would help defend Prop. 227 in court.

Yesterday’s vote in California has already sparked action in other states to limit bilingual education. Reform efforts to ensure that children are learning English in a timely manner have already begun in Arizona, New Mexico, Denver, Chicago and elsewhere.