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PiscesSchool 'Shocked' by English-only Rule
UPI: Administrators at a South Jersey high school say they only learned of a substitute teacher's English-only policy when they heard from the ACLU.
The teacher filled in for six weeks at the high school during the last school year. She handed out what she called a "Classroom Protocol Contract," telling the students that signing it would count as a test grade.
The contract included an English-only clause: "This is an English speaking school and classroom -- any other language other than English will not be tolerated."
Ottinger said Wednesday the teacher would be called in and advised that the school has no English-only policy and that instituting one is not condoned.
No students or parents complained about the contract, the newspaper said.
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- 3 Comments
Dayna February 6, 2009, 10:44 AM
I support that teacher 100%, especially after the (very important) clarification provided by John. I believe this policy should be enforced in every classroom in America during instruction.
leelee February 6, 2009, 12:47 PM
As a Middle School educator in CA, I must agree with John and Dayna. During class instruction, unless in the ESL (English as Second Language) class, then to keep order and class continuity, English should be the only language spoken. I think all schools need to seriously think about doing this. Recess and afterschool, speak any language you want. I see no wrong in what the teacher did.
I live minutes from Vineland and my wife grew up there. I wanted to provide a little context that’s lacking in this story.
Vineland has major school violence issues and gang activity. A recent local article listed the *middle school* as one of the worst for violence in the state.
Vineland also has a large Hispanic population. I’m not equating the two (Hispanic = violence), but if this teacher does not speak Spanish, it puts her at a disadvantage in maintaining order in her classroom.
I’m not saying she was right or that she did it from right motives, but it raises questions about a teacher’s ability to teach and control when (s)he doesn’t know what’s going on in the classroom.