Noonan described how Proposition 227 worked. The law was passed by 61 percent of California voters in 1998 and implemented for the start of school three months later. Despite the rapid implementation, test scores in the elementary levels improved rapidly and have continued to improve. Scores at middle school and high school levels have not improved as dramatically and, no improvement has been shown for 10th graders, he said. Under the law, only the teachers are required to use English.
Students can respond to teachers in Spanish and talk to each other in Spanish.
However, students are tested only in English, Noonan said. Used with permission.