If Proposition 227 passes on June 2, school officials will have a scant 60 days to develop the programs for English learners that are prescribed in the initiative and to scrap any existing bilingual education programs that don't comply. The same language that makes it comprehensible and attractive to voters makes it distressing for school officials accustomed to specific prescriptions and regulations.
Teachers are especially confused.
Even after reading Prop. 227 carefully, many say they cannot figure out whether the programs and methods they use today would be outlawed if voters approve the ballot measure. In recent polls, prospective voters have said they favor Prop. 227 by a 2-1 margin. Legislation says, 'Do this, don't do this' and gives explicit guidance. The initiative just sort of offers advice. Prop. 227 requires that students be taught overwhelmingly in English.