Voices from the Field: Bilingual Educators Speak Candidly About Proposition 227

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a mini-study on the reactions of California bilingual educators to the implementation of Proposition 227. Overall, the concerns of these educators are consistent with those reported in other studies of educators throughout California. Teachers worry about the erosion of primary language programs, about the imposition of English-only standardized testing, and about the lack of clear leadership on policy and practice for language minority students. Administrators are concerned mainly with issues of interpretation of the law, of accountability, and of communication with parents and community. The authors conclude that, not surprisingly, teachers and administrators continue to be pragmatic, serving their students as best they can despite adversity.