Some schools are not following the rules as they should. Schroeder said she does not know exactly how often mixing occurs and said no plans are under way to change the practice. Exactly how schools teach bilingual students is taking on new importance as critics campaign to place a statewide initiative on the June ballot that would essentially dismantle bilingual education programs. Some school administrators believe they can satisfy the English instruction requirement by shuttling students into music and art classes and physical education. But other schools simply send children outside to play.
Parents also are outraged.
Becki Robinson, elementary vice president for United Teachers Los Angeles, said teachers have voiced concerns about mixing for years, but nothing has been done. The problem stems from the lack of instructors trained to teach English as a second language, Robinson said. No state oversight State school inspectors were unaware of the mixing problems because they have not visited the district's elementary schools in years. Now all but three of the secondary schools are in compliance, Schroeder said. Schroeder could not name the three schools, citing continued legal problems.