Issues in U.S. Language Policy

Unz Initiative News Clips

1998 Archive

April

• Prop. 227 Defended by Unz in Santa Rosa Debate – Initiative sponsor debates James Crawford, fails to sway Sonoma County audience.
  Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 1 April 1998.
• Bilingual Ed Foe Irked by Repeal of State Law – Unz opposes local flexibility, wants to "slam the door" on native language instruction.
  Bakersfield Californian, 1 April 1998
• San Francisco Bilingual Program Cited as Model – Supt. Rojas highlights student gains to refute Unz.
  San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 April 1998
• U.S. House Votes To Cut 1998 Funds Already Approved for Bilingual Ed. – Rescission would help "pay for" disaster relief and overseas military operations.
  NABE Advisory, 1 April 1998
• Assembly Panel OKs Bilingual Standards – Compromise bill advances as Democrats move to outflank Unz.
  Sacramento Bee, 2 April 1998
• White House Panel to Oppose Prop. 227 – One-size-fits-all "could be devastating."
  Los Angeles Times, 3 April 1998
• S.J., Federal Officials Decry Anti-Bilingual Ballot Issue – Unz condemned as threat to parental choice.
  San Jose Mercury News, 4 April 1998
• An Incomplete Translation – "Prop. 227 is based on a model immersion program that educators say does not exist."
  Q & A With Gloria Matta Tuchman – Initative cosponsor admits to using bilingual aides in her "sheltered immersion" classroom.
  Contra Costa Times, 6 April 1998
• Bilingual Education – Prop. 227 would impose an untested and unsupported English-only mandate on local schools.
  National Public Radio, 7 April 1998
  (requires RealAudio)
• New Bilingual Ed Policy OK'd – State Board of Education reaffirms "local flexibility" in teaching English learners, in contrast to state mandate proposed by Prop. 227.
  Sacramento Bee, 9 April 1998
• Spanish-Language Media Emerging Star in Politics – Unz plans media blitz in Spanish.
  San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 April 1998
• Riordan Backs Move to End Bilingual Classes – LA mayor endorses Prop. 227, draws criticism as "misinformed."
  Los Angeles Times, 10 April 1998
       Letters to the Editor by John Espinoza, Larry Wiener, and Manuel Caraveo
• Local Asian Civic Leaders Back Prop. 227 – "But the county's Asian-American community remains divided on the anti-bilingual measure."
  Orange County Register, 10 April 1998
• Gulf of California: Prop. 227 Splits Teachers – Initiative supporters cite job security fears.
  Los Angeles Times, 12 April 1998
• Voters to Decide Measures on Schools, Unions, Other Issues – Classroom in Orange school district offers preview of Unz's hardships for limited-English children.
  Associated Press, 12 April 1998
• Bilingual Education Ban Widely Supported – In another misleading poll, 63% support Prop. 227; yet 52% believe "school districts should have more flexibility to choose the method they think is best to teach students with limited English skills."
  Detailed information on the Los Angeles Times Poll
  Los Angeles Times, 13 April 1998
• Wilson, Eastin Testy on Exam – California mandate for English-only achievement tests at issue.
  San Francisco Examiner, 13 April 1998
• 2 More O.C. Districts Join Fight vs. Unz Plan – Prop. 227 repudiated by school board in Santa Ana, home district of cosponsor Gloria Matta Tuchman; officials cite "economic benefits of bilingual education."
  Orange County Register, 15 April 1998
• Santa Ana School Board Opposes Prop. 227 – Tuchman's failure to appear called "cowardly."
  Los Angeles Times, 16 April 1998
• In Any Language, the Fight Is On Over Bilingual Instruction – Latinos vs. vendidos: backlash spreads to Denver and Albuquerque.
  Los Angeles Times, 16 April 1998
• Supporters of Bilingual Education Go on the Offensive – Prop. 227 denounced as "meat-cleaver" approach.
  Los Angeles Times, 17 April 1998
• Assembly OKs Bilingual Education Bill – Legislative compromise would reaffirm local districts' flexibility to choose programs for English learners.
  San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 April 1998
• Assembly Tries to Beat Prop. 227 to the Punch – Alpert bill puts burden on Unz to justify statewide mandate for one-size-fits-all approach.
  Los Angeles Times, 21 April 1998
• Divided Assembly Approves Bilingual Education Bill – "Imperfect solution" described as best hope of derailing Unz.
  Sacramento Bee, 21 April 1998
• Bilingual Ed Authority Opposes 227 – Prof. Stephen Krashen denounces "destructive experiment with English."
  Bakersfield Californian, 22 April 1998
• Students Hold March In Concord – 2,000 Bay Area students walk out of school in biggest protest to date against Prop. 227.
  San Francisco Chronicle, 23 April 1998
• Prop. 227 Described as 'Disaster in the Making' – Unz initiative would threaten English acquisition, says researcher Stephen Krashen.
  Fresno Bee, 23 April 1998
• Prop. 227's Critics Attack Mandated Adult-Literacy Cost – No on Unz campaign stresses initiative's $500 million expenditure for immigrant classes.
  Sacramento Bee, 23 April 1998
• Many Back Bilingual Education – Univision Poll finds strong support for program among Hispanics.
  Houston Chronicle, 24 April 1998
• Putting Education to the Test – Immigrants recall personal experiences in explaining their opposition to Prop. 227.
  Los Angeles Times, 26 April 1998
• Foes say Prop. 227 is Racist – Many Latinos and Asians perceive initiative as another attack by bigots.
  Contra Costa Times, 26 April 1998
• Bilingual Education Debate Hits Porterville – Krashen carries campaign against Unz to Tulare County.
  Fresno Bee, 26 April 1998
• White House to Announce Opposition to Prop. 227 Policy – Clinton set to criticize initiative, but also to promote a 3-year limit on bilingual education.
  Los Angeles Times, 27 April 1998
• White House to Fight California Initiative to Ban Bilingual Classes – Clinton Administration signals determination to fight Unz politically and, if necessary, in court to combat threat to students' civil rights.
  New York Times, 28 April 1998
• Education Secretary Blasts Proposition 227 – Riley says anti-bilingual measure would be a "disaster for children."
  San Francisco Chronicle, 28 April 1998
• Bilingual Debate Becomes Partisan – Wilson lashes out at statement by Sec. Riley, says Californians don't need outsiders telling them how to vote.
  San Jose Mercury News, 28 April 1998
• Wilson Leaning Toward Support of Unz Measure – Only reservation is $500 million appropriation for adult English instruction, governor says.
  Los Angeles Times, 28 April 1998
• Foes of 227 Note Loss of Local Control – President's opposition highlights issue of one-size-fits-all mandates vs. educational flexibility.
  Contra Costa Times, 28 April 1998
• Tongue Twister – Beneath a grinning exterior, Unz's character shines through.
  Sonoma County Independent, 23-29 April 1998
• What Price English? – Parents protest Santa Barbara's decision to eliminate bilingual education.
  Education Week, 29 April 1998
• Voters, Teachers Don't Speak the Same Language – "Nebulous" phrasing of Prop. 227 likely to bring litigation, confusion, disruption of school operations.
  Contra Costa Times, 29 April 1998
• O.C. Students Slow To Gain English Fluency, Study Says – Immersion programs provide no short-cut; Unz's one-year approach opposed even by anti-bilingual districts.
  Orange County Register, 29 April 1998
• Prop. 227 Author, Foe Face-to-Face at Forum – Unz encounters critical audience at Bay Area debate.
  Contra Costa Times, 30 April 1998

March

• Opinions Vary on Studies That Back Bilingual Classes – Research in Los Angeles shows children in bilingual programs outscore their counterparts in English-only programs on English language achievement tests.
  Los Angeles Times, 2 March 1998
• The Bilingual Battle: Prop 227 Would End Such Classes in Public Schools – A detailed account of the far-reaching and potentially disastrous consequences of the Unz initiative on programs that are working today for English learners and for Anglo children learning a second language.
  San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 March 1998
• Bilingual Education Faces Major Test in California – Unz initiative is "about race, class, culture, shifting demographics, politics, control, fear and sometimes even education."
  New York Times, 10 March 1998
• President Expected To Oppose Prop. 227: But No Commitment Yet, Lawmaker Says – Clinton Administration ponders political options on bilingual education.
  Sacramento Bee, 11 March 1998
• Moms Fear for Their Children's Education – Latina parents want both English and native-language instruction, and worry what Proposition 227 will do to successful programs.
  Contra Costa Times, 12 March 1998
• Callers Favor Ending Bilingual Education – Unscientific survey illustrates spectrum of attitudes on immigrants, English, and the Unz initiative.
  San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 March 1998
       Support for the Initiative Depends on Understanding, by Stephen Krashen
       San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 March 1998
• Making the Case for Spanish at School – Calexico success story illustrates what can be achieved through bilingual education and what would be sacrificed under Prop. 227.
  Christian Science Monitor, 13 March 1998
• Latinos Divided on Bilingual Education – As Unz race tightens, poll results reflect more accurate questions.
  Sacramento Bee, 15 March 1998
• Clinton's Silence Alarms State's Bilingual Ed Backers – White House considers how – and whether – to enter the debate over Prop. 227.
  San Francisco Chronicle, 17 March 1998
• Bilingual Education's Many Translations – Districts have several choices in educating English leaners, all of which would be banned by Unz, despite their superior results in San Francisco, where "redesignated LEPs" outscore all other groups.
  San Francisco Chronicle, 17 March
• Lungren Questions Need for Bilingual Measure – State Board's new policy on local flexibility makes Prop. 227 "irrelevant," Republican AG says, but he still takes no formal position.
  Sacramento Bee, 17 March 1998
• S.F. Defies State on Test – District challenges Wilson, risks loss of funding by rejecting mandated English-only test for limited-English-proficient students.
  San Francisco Examiner, 18 March 1998
• Bilingual Education Foe Pushes Initiative – Unz repeats unsupported claim that the program is "utterly, utterly unsuccessful."
  San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 March 1998
       Strong Opinions about Prop. 227 – Letters to the editor by James Crawford and Jill Kerper Mora
       San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 March 1998
• Bid To Bar Bilingual Teaching Keeps Big Lead – Field Poll shows continued popularity of Prop. 227 among all groups of likely voters, including Latinos.
  Sacramento Bee, 20 March 1998
• L.A. Unified's Notice About Testing Angers State – District advises parents told of their right to exempt students from English-only tests.
  Los Angeles Times, 20 March 1998
• Report: English Favored by Kids – Study showing academic progress of immigrant students should make Prop. 227 irrelevant: "English is triumphing with breathtaking rapidity.''
  San Jose Mercury News, 21 March 1998
• Schools Defy State, Allow Exemptions on New Test – Rebellion is brewing over mandatory English asessments.
  Los Angeles Times, 22 March 1998
• Debate Loud as Vote Nears on Bilingual Ban – "Education groups have lined up en masse to denounce what they call a dangerous, unproven experiment."
  Los Angeles Times, 23 March 1998
• DeLay May Press To Let States End Bilingual Education – House Republican Whip drafts federal bill similar to Prop. 227.
  Houston Chronicle, 24 March 1998
• Rojas Files Federal Suit Against State Educators – SF schools chief says English-only test violates Lau v. Nichols.
  San Francisco Chronicle, 28 March


State Board Reverses Policy on Bilingual Education in California

Program Advisory for Programs for English Learners – California State Board of Education Policy establishing a preference for bilingual instruction, adopted July 14, 1995 and rescinded March 12, 1998; alternative policy to be considered in April 1998.

Delaine Eastin Statement – Superintendent of Public Instruction opposes Board action reversing its bilingual education policy, vows to continue "upholding the law," in press release dated March 12, 1998.

• Bilingual Education Faces Test – Confusing court ruling in Orange USD case may limit oversight of LEP programs by State Board of Education.
  Orange County Register, 7 March 1998
• State Overhauls Rules on Bilingual Education – State Board of Education lifts native-language preference, endorses "local flexibility" in educating English learners; political fallout likely to affect Prop. 227.
  Los Angeles Times, 13 March 1998
• State Abandons Policy, Leaves It up to Districts – Implications of eliminating bilingual preference remain uncertain in the classroom, at the voting booth.
  San Francisco Chronicle, 13 March 1998
• State Revokes Bilingual Mandate: Let Districts Decide, Education Panel Says – Impact of policy change remains a matter of debate.
  Sacramento Bee, 13 March 1998
• State Ends Bilingual Mandate – Orange County districts get their way, but Unz initiative sponsor remains unsatisfied.
       Change May Not Be Imminent in O.C. Schools
       History of State's Bilingual Effort
  Orange County Register, 13 March 1998
• Bilingual Teaching Setback – Policy shift highlights issue of local schools' accountability.
  San Jose Mercury News, 13 March 1998
• State Puts an End to Bilingual Mandate – Central Valley school officials see no impact on local district policies.
  Fresno Bee, 13 March 1998
• School Districts Add Local Voice to Bilingual Debate – State Board action could break logjam on Sen. Alpert's compromise bill.
  San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 March 1998
  A New Bilingual Era: School Board Repeals a State Requirement – EDITORIAL: What the State Board granted districts in local control, Unz would take away.
  San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 March 1998
• State's Bilingual Decision Muddies Prop. 227 Debate – New policy of flexibility could make Unz initiative a referendum on local control.
  San Francisco Chronicle, 14 March 1998
• Bilingual: Not Optional – EDITORIAL: State Board decision should not be taken as a green light for schools to ignore the needs of English learners.
  San Francisco Chronicle, 14 March 1998
• Reaction to Bilingual Education Decision Varies – Disputes over school policy continue, as Supt. Eastin vows to "uphold the law" until changed by the legislature.
       No Change, Gracias – Ventura County schools plan to keep bilingual programs, despite state offer.
  Los Angeles Times, 14 March 1998
• Pro-Bilingual Parents not Surrendering – State policy change inspires local grassroots efforts to ensure that bilingual programs continue.
  Orange County Register, 14 March 1998
• No Change Here on Bilingual Education – California law always allowed for flexibility, according to Glendale USD, which offers bilingual programs in Armenian, Korean, Tagalog, and Spanish.
  Glendale News-Press, 14 March 1998
• Leece Pushes for Shift to English-only – School board member hails State Board action as proof that "prayer works;"; advocates English-only rule for all school personnel.
  Daily Pilot (Newport Beach), 14 March 1998
       Letter to the Editor: The Apostles Were Multilingual
       Daily Pilot (Newport Beach), 19 March 1998
• Mother Tongue-Tied – EDITORIAL: Board of Education decision should foster a legislative compromise on bilingual education before it's too late.
  San Jose Mercury News, 16 March 1998
• Bilingual Decision Creates a Prop. 227 Paradox, by Peter Schrag – End of bilingual mandate puts "one size fits all" advocates on the defensive.
  Sacramento Bee, 18 March 1998
• New Bilingual Ed Policy OK'd – State Board of Education reaffirms "local flexibility" in teaching English learners, in contrast to state mandate proposed by Prop. 227.
  Sacramento Bee, 9 April 1998

February

• Unz's Bilingual Measure Assailed from Right – Immigration restrictionists fear impact on Prop. 187.
  Sacramento Bee, 1 February 1998
• Boards Oppose English Initiative – Momentum against Unz builds among educators, including the Bay Area's three largest school districts.
  San Jose Mercury News, 2 February 1998
• Foe of Bilingual Education Considers Superintendent Bid – Gloria Matta Tuchman hopes to ride Unz initiative to Sacramento.
  Los Angeles Times, 4 February 1998
• Bilingual Teachers Prepare To Fight Unz Measure – No on Unz campaign raises money, maps strategy.
  San Jose Mercury News, 5 February 1998
• Un Grito (a Call) to Battle – California Association for Bilingual Education, meeting in San Jose, shows determination to beat Unz.
  Los Angeles Times, 6 February 1998
• Bilingual Education Foe on Ballot for Top Schools Post – Tuchman unveils candidacy, but won't talk about platform or supporters.
  San Francisco Chronicle, 6 February 1998
• Unz Takes Blow from the Right – Legal quandry: Republicans question whether initiative would guarantee schooling for undocumented students.
  San Jose Mercury News, 9 February 1998
• Voters Set to Dump Bilingual Education, Poll Shows – Unz support declines in Field survey; most Californians still unaware of initiative.
  San Francisco Chronicle, 10 February 1998
• Bilingual Classes Get Support in Poll – Latinos exppress strong support for native-language programs, but confusion about initiative persists.
  Los Angeles Times, 10 February 1998
• He Speaks Language of Activism to Community – Grassroots organizing against Unz – and for bilingual education – intensifies.
  Orange County Register, 14 February 1998
• Educators Ponder Tactics Against 3 Measures – Initiatives threaten to wreak havoc in California schools, provoking a costly response by education groups.
  Los Angeles Times, 24 February 1998
• Schools Challenge Wilson, Resist English-only Standardized Test – Superintendents engage in civil disobedience – a harbinger on Unz?
  San Francisco Examiner, 25 February 1998
• Pros, Cons of Bilingual Education Heard – Rep. Frank Riggs, now seeking the Republican nomination for Senate from California, holds a hearing to consider federal legislation similar to the Unz initiative.
  San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 February 1998

January

• City Can Keep English-Immersion Schools – State Board of Education gives Orange County district a green light for English-only approach.
  Orange County Register, 8 January 1998
• Proposal Would Undercut Bilingual-Ed Foes – Assemblyman proposes counter-initiative to block Unz, safeguard local control of curriculum.
  Sacramento Bee, 8 January 1998
• The English Man – Profile of the initiative's chief sponsor: the weird world of Ron Unz.
  San Jose Mercury News West Magazine, 11 January 1998
• Honda Fighting English-Only Initiative – Proposed constitutional amendment would ensure local control, override Unz.
  San Jose Mercury News, 13 January 1998
• Speaking up for Bilingual Ed – Unz opponents get organized.
  San Francisco Examiner, 14 January 1998
• Santa Barbara Schools Seek to End Bilingual Education – School board ignores pleas of minority parents.
  Los Angeles Times, 16 January 1998
• State PTA Joins Opposition to 'English for the Children' Initiative – Parents group challenges Unz.
  Los Angeles Times, 17 January 1998
• Schools Measure Derailed – Counter-initiative falters in committee.
  San Jose Mercury News, 17 January 1998
• Unz Keeps Focus on Bilingual Issue – Initiative sponsor conceals his larger agenda: waging war on cultural diversity.
  Sacramento Bee, 19 January 1998
• Protest Against Anti-Bilingual Ballot Measure – Language-minority parents picket company owned by Unz.
  San Francisco Chronicle, 21 January 1998
• A Bedrock Of Bilingual Education – Virginia program provides contrast to California counterparts in community support.
  Washington Post, 22 January 1998
• Unz Initiative Opponents Gain Support, Confidence – Anti-bilingual tide is turning, organizers say.
  Hispanic Link, 25 January 1998
• No Habla Español – Move to scrap bilingual education divides Santa Barbara along ethnic lines.
  Time Magazine, 26 January 1998
• State May Set U.S. Path on Bilingual Ed – Passage of the Unz initiative could unleash attacks on bilingual education nationwide.
  Sacramento Bee, 26 January 1998
• Bill to Fix Bilingual Education Pushed Before Unz Vote – Opinionis are mixed on prospects for compromise legislation.
  Los Angeles Times, 26 January 1998
• Bilingual Education Gets Cheers – Unz initiative attacked at bilingual education conference.
  Riverside Press-Enterprise, 30 January 1998
• Diverse Voices Heard on Race at Stanford Forum – Unz attacks bilingual research as "utter and complete garbage."
  San Francisco Chronicle, 31 January 1998

1997 Archive