Arizona, feds work to settle complaint over English immersion
Jun 15, 2015, 10:11 AM | Updated: 10:12 am
PHOENIX — State and federal officials were working to settle a complaint
that alleged Arizona’s program for teaching English to children who don’t speak
the language is discriminatory.
Federal authorities have been investigating the program since 2010. That was when a
complaint was filed alleging the required four hours of daily instruction
illegally segregated students who don’t speak English and denied them access to
the rest of their public-school education.
Michael Bradley, chief of staff for the Arizona Department of Education, told
the Arizona Capitol Times that both sides agreed students
should spend less time in English immersion classes as their skills improve.
They disagree over how to determine when to cut back.
