Proponent of Arizona’s English-only teaching policy not happy with current implementation

PHOENIX — A woman who helped write the 25-year-old Arizona ballot measure mandating English-only instruction for students learning the language is speaking out about the way schools are implementing the policy.

Margaret Garcia Dugan was chair of the group behind Proposition 203, which Arizona voters passed in 2000. It requires a structured immersion class schedule before English learners are integrated into regular classrooms.

What is Margaret Garcia Dugan’s problem with Arizona’s English-only policy?

Dugan recently told KTAR News 92.3 FM her issue with the program is with the way kids are put into English-only classes.

She explained the program used to be a requirement for four hours a day.

But now, schools are choosing a single method from a selection of English immersion models.

Most schools choose the one-hour-a-day option because it is easiest to schedule, Dugan said.

However, the one-size-fits-all approach isn’t what’s best, Dugan explained. She wants to see students tested and placed in immersion classes that are based on their individual needs.

“My intent was never to leave a child in a classroom for four hours if they were already proficient in the speaking part of English,” Dugan said. “You need to move them into the mainstream as quickly as possible, because I believe that our immigrant children that come here learn English from other students.”

Dugan explained that the reverse is true as well, saying children who need more than one hour of immersion a day should get extra time.

Prop 203 remains topic of debate 25 years after passing

Prop 203 is also a topic of debate between those who think dual-language learning works better than English-only immersion for language learners.

Dugan said data has shown immersion to be the superior method.

“This has already been proven,” she said. “Structured English and immersion … is the best way to teach an immigrant when they move to a new country to adopt and become proficient in that language.”

Another current issue is that Prop 203 is not applied in every Arizona school, something State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is trying to change.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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