If parents can't speak English, but a teacher can speak Spanish, there's an instant link, he added. Downing said there are also benefits in a teaching force that reflects the district's diversity. In Milpitas, Pat Dell, director of human resources, said the district has hired several bilingual teachers to teach in mainstream classes. Many districts are looking at opening charter campuses, which aren't subject to the provisions of the initiative, and could offer bilingual programs to those parents who choose them. Still others are exploring ways to open alternative campuses.
Parents can seek waivers if they prefer their children be taught in their native language.
But on several California State University campuses, Proposition 227 has had a chilling effect. Alexander Sapiens, a professor of education at San Jose State University, who helps coordinate the bilingual teacher training program, said some teacher candidates were reluctant to pursue bilingual credentials, partly out of fear they could be sued if they used their language skills in the classroom. Still others wondered if their skills would be valued in a post-Proposition 227 world. Both San Jose State and Cal State-Hayward say they will continue to offer programs to train bilingual teachers.