Kyrene stands by the legitimacy of its dual language learning program
Independent Newsmedia/Caroline Yu
State Superintendent Tom Horne, pictured above at Helios Education Campus on March 9, 2023, has threatened to cut funding at 26 local education agencies due to violations involving their English language learner programs.
Kyrene School District’s dual language immersion programs are compliant with state provisions, the district says, despite calls from State Superintendent Tom Horne that state funding be pulled for illegal programs.
Horne has threatened to take away funding from 26 local education agencies that he believes are in violation of Proposition 203 because instruction is not conducted 100% in English.
The learning agencies involved use a 50-50 dual language immersion program, which entails the use of both English and the students’ foreign language to increase proficiency in the former. Typically, this model teaches students half the day in English and half the day in their native language.
Proposition 203, passed in 2000 and cited in Horne’s argument, established that English be the only language of instruction across Arizona public schools, even for English language learners. However, it does state that English learners be educated through “sheltered English immersion programs during a temporary transition period.”
“Dual language classes, typically taught for half of each day in Spanish, are an obvious violation of this initiative. A reduction in structured English immersion from four hours to two is okay, but the rest of the day must be spent in regular classrooms with the English-speaking students, not in classes taught in Spanish,” Horne wrote in a letter.
In his letter, he also included information about how a district can lose its English language learner funding for violating Prop. 203 and that parents can sue district personnel responsible for the violation.
Arizona Department of Education data from the 2021-22 school recorded a total of 1,029 students at local districts participating in 50-50 dual language immersion programs — Kyrene being among them. The district itself had 42 students during fiscal year 2022.
In response to Horne’s threats, Kyrene’s Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Erin Helm released the following statement:
“Kyrene’s current practices regarding student eligibility for dual language programming are compliant with the approved models for English language learners adopted by the Arizona State Board of Education and implementation guides provided by the Arizona Department of Education in recent years. Kyrene will review any updated guides or revised direction from SBE and ADE and will examine our practices to ensure the district is in compliance. Kyrene will always comply with state and federal laws, and the district is committed to ensuring all students have equitable access to learning opportunities within the bounds of the law.”
Kyrene’s dual language program was designed to prepare students to meet educational and personal goals in both English and Spanish, according to its website. The goals of its program include bilingualism, biliteracy and multicultural awareness among others providing literacy and content in both languages.
Horne did note in his letter there are benefits to a dual language program, but that a program of that kind should be reserved for students with proven proficiency in English.
“Once they attain English proficiency, we encourage dual language, or any other programs, that will cause them to be proficient in more than one language,” he stated.
Reporter Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@iniusa.org
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Caroline Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.
Community: She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French.
Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years.
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