Here is Dr. Krashen's response, which includes excerpts from Unz' paper. The claim has been made that the Taft School in Santa Ana produces superior results in English language development because they refuse to do bilingual education. The core of the case for bilingual education is that the principles underlying successful bilingual education are the same principles that underlie successful language acquisition in general. Background knowledge can help make second language input more comprehensible, and can thus assist in the acquisition of the second language. The development of literacy occurs in the same way as second language acquisition does.
Bilingual education continues to receive criticism in the national media.
This Digest examines some of the criticism, and its effect on public opinion, which often is based on misconceptions about bilingual education's goals and practice. The Digest explains the rationale underlying good bilingual education programs and summarizes research findings about their effectiveness. Polls on California's anti-bilingual Proposition 227 have been contradictory. That's because they have posed simplistic questions about a complex issue. Ask whether schools should provide intensive English classes for immigrant children, and you'll get overwhelming agreement.