Press Release by
Delaine Eastin
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction

SACRAMENTO--Delaine Eastin today issued the following statement in response to the State Board's decision to abandon its prior policy regarding educational services to English learners:

"By their action, the State Board of Education has reversed its prior policy insofar as the provision of educational support to 1.4 million Limited-English-Proficient (LEP) students in California. I disagree with the State Board's decision. I have a constitutional responsibility to uphold the law, and until the law is changed formally, I will uphold the existing legal requirements to teach and provide support for all children to develop fluency in English and obtain high academic achievement. I pledge to continue working with local school districts, classroom teachers, parents, and others to realize the purposes of state law to provide equal educational opportunities for all."