Proposition 203 was passed by voters 23 years ago. Known as “English-only Immersion,” the initiative states that Arizona students whose first language is not English should only be taught in English language classrooms.
Horne believes that English learner students who are not considered to have attained proficiency in English should be predominantly instructed in English. Arizona Proposition 203, an initiative that limited the type of instruction available to English language learners.
On Thursday, teachers and parents demonstrated outside the state Capital to express their disapproval of Horne’s actions. Horne’s office has requested legal counsel from the attorney general’s office. The attorney general has yet to respond.
Under Proposition 203, English learners were to be completely segregated for one year while they only learned English and achieved English proficiency. However, since this instruction wasn’t in their native language, many would be held back for over a year.
Schools are seeking the State Department of Education for assurance that their funding won’t be cut once the attorney general confirms the legality of dual language programs, but they will need more time to get that information.
According to Horne, “The initiative requires that we operate legally.”
Molly K Ottman Executive Editor/Journalist for Mountain Daily Star
Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez | Arizona Mirror