It was clear last week that policymakers across the country are keeping close tabs on California to see how the new law plays out. Some observers expect similar measures to be filed in state legislatures or to show up on other state ballots. Whether those measures would galvanize public support the way the California initiative did is less clear. I wouldn't be surprised if people elsewhere file legislation. Some predict states and districts will steer away from California's approach and try to mend, not end, their bilingual programs.
People always look to see what California is doing.
Rather than teach students only in English, in bilingual education, students typically learn partly through their native languages while they transition to English. The day after voters went to the polls, civil rights groups went to court to challenge the measure. They argue that the law violates federal civil rights laws and the U.S. Constitution. A preliminary-injunction hearing is set for July 15 in federal district court in San Francisco. In the meantime, students, their families, and schools are in limbo, awaiting guidance from the state and the courts.