Delegates had every reason to allow the initiative to be debated on its own merits. In fact, party leaders urged them to table the endorsement vote, lest it sully their image. Hispanic members warned that acting hastily on the measure might further alienate Latino voters. They argued that a bill currently under consideration in the state Legislature would be a more appropriate forum for addressing bilingual reform. The state's bilingual education law was established in 1976 to ensure that students whose first language is not English would be able to keep up with grade-level instruction.
Parents have the right to decline any bilingual services that are offered to their children.
For some time, Californians of all stripes have expressed concerns about the existing program's efficacy. Some critics insist that too many students languish in bilingual classes and never master English. Others argue that many parents are unaware that they can opt out of a program if they choose. Another commonly held criticism is that these programs are no more than cash cows for teachers unions. There is some truth to these criticisms, but the present debate is muddled.