Panel considers bilingual education programs
In Nevada, up to 30 elementary schools could apply for $10,000 grants from the state Department of Education to establish and support such a program in the first year. Another $300,000 would help districts develop curriculum, recruit teachers and support the schools.
Schools could pick Spanish, French or Mandarin Chinese to start, with the intent to add other languages in the future, including American Sign Language.
The money would come from the state general fund, according to the proposal. NOT DITCHING ENGLISH
Swank was quick to point out the program would not eliminate English from schools. The program would be voluntarily for schools, and parents whose children attend schools with programs would have the ability to ensure their children are taught only in English.
Representatives from Nevada Families for Freedom submitted a letter saying the money for the program would be better spent teaching children English.
“What about just teaching what our country uses … English! The money being spent on this experiment can be used to help our children master the language of our country! We are not a dual language country like Canada,” the letter read.
Assemblyman Keith Pickard, R-Henderson, questioned how districts would find qualified teachers, considering the overall teacher’s shortage.
Utah’s Department of Education created a special “international guest teacher” license, Roberts said. The state has memorandums of understanding with a number of other countries that help ease the process. Contact Meghin Delaney at 702-383-0281 or mdelaney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @ MeghinDelaney on Twitter.