It had nothing to do with the question of bilingual vs. English-only instruction, and it is embarrassing for me to see my name associated in any way with the editorial's position. For the record, to dissociate myself from that editorial, I do support bilingual instruction for LEP children. Since you have abused my name and reputation, allow me to make a few more points. First, I agree that districts should be accountable for the extra money they receive for LEP programs, and they should evaluate their programs. Second, your editorial disingenuously implies that English immersion costs less than bilingual programs.
Cost is a red herring.
Except for a few innovative schools, Portland uses primarily an ESL, not a bilingual model. Third, your editorial also implied that bilingual programs are segregative. Segregation is rightly illegal, and that word should not be lightly used. I hope, despairingly, that your editorial was not intended as a salvo in a legislative effort to mandate English immersion for LEP students. However, since it rehashed points made in David Reinhard's column following publication of the Learn-Hernandez article, I am suspicious.