Forget English Immersion… How About Chinese Immersion?
by Aaron Margolis, February 27th, 2007 at 12:33pm
In 2002, voters in Massachusetts approved–overwhelmingly–a ballot initiative for English Immersion. Nearly 70% of the electorate voted to reject bilingual education, yet this binding ballot initiative was watered down by the state legislature and effectively killed.
I guess it’s only in Massachusetts where English Immersion gets rejected by the State, yet Chinese Immersion is set to be approved by the state Board of Education.
Children would spend the bulk of their school days speaking and learning core subjects in Mandarin Chinese in a proposed charter school founded by parents and educators who say children need to master Chinese to succeed in the future workplace.
The state Board of Education is expected today to approve the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, where even math, science, and history would be taught in Mandarin. The youngest students, who are most easily able to pick up a language, would learn three-quarters of the time in Chinese; as children move to higher grades, they would be taught in Chinese half to one-quarter of the time. They would learn to write as well as speak the language.
“In the future, no matter what career path you choose, you’re going to see Chinese people, and . . . know that language is important,” said Jean Pao Wilson , a parent from Easthampton and one of the school’s organizers.
The school, which would ultimately serve 300 mostly English-speaking students, would be the first foreign-language immersion charter in Massachusetts, a spokeswoman for Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll said. Driscoll has endorsed the school’s proposal. Boston has three public dual-language schools, specializing in Spanish, but the proposed charter may be the first public immersion school using Chinese in the state, state officials said.
What kind of topsy-turvy state do we live in where apparently, knowing Spanish or even Chinese is apparently the key to success in the “future workplace,” but knowing English is not? How about the thousands of children living in Massachusetts who can barely speak or read English, and the State Legislature puts the kibosh a binding ballot initiative that would have helped 30,000 students enrolled in bilingual K-12 classes learn English more effectively. Wouldn’t it be good if kids can know English to get by day-by-day before worrying about the “future workplace?”
How will our state be better served; by helping 300 students master Chinese, or helping 30,000 students learn English?
Last I checked, the dominant language in this country (and Massachusetts) is English–at least in most of our cities and towns.
Entry Filed under: Education
14 Comments
1. Bruce | February 27th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
After President Clinton II guts the rest of the Constitution and transforms us into a socialist regime, wholly dependent on the government for our every need and desire, it’s only a matter of time before she cedes our national sovereignty to Mother China and the enlightened ruling class therein.
2. Mr. X | February 27th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Good points Aaron, but these are rulers, we are the little folk who just don’t understand the big picture…look at what happened in Lexington last week. As Karl Marx pointed out:
“The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.”
3. YuppieSocialists | February 28th, 2007 at 12:48 am
Question, why are we so weak and pathetic. Think about it, those of us who love this country are being bullied by these weak fruitcakes (Yeah I said it). These people have no respect for our culture and the future of America. Its funny because the “Socialists” are the rich kids who have never fought for a thing. My fellow Massachusettian and Americans, these people are trying to destroy everything that our ancestors sacrificed and fought for.My family lived in poverty, fought wars, and gave up everything for one reason and one reason only, to be American. These people sicken me, they are self rightious scum who are selling our future out, they are committing treason. They are not the working class people my friends, they seek to destroy everything we hold sacred and fight for. Lets be honest with ourselves, outside of Cambridge, Newton and Brookline our state is normal. My friends, its time for us to get off our chairs and show these obnoxious you know whats why Massachusetts started the revolution. We are strong as nails they are cupcakes. Everyone get off your chair, march to Beacon Hill and demand that this program be defeated before our nation and culture is gone. Stand up against the Yuppie Socialist. If they don’t want to learn our language and respect our culture then its time for them to leave. Someone has to stop the Devalites before its to late.
4. HunterG | February 28th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Yes and Marxism worked out just fine.
Honestly, we can’t pay for our existing programs and we’re talking about adding more. Regardless of what their content is, it’s poor fiscal restraint.
So much for ‘paying as you go’.
5. V | February 28th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Mr. X,
Did you learn that in your union indoctrination?
Marx also said “The last capitalist we hang shall be the one who sold us the rope”. I think we’re beginning to sell the rope……..
6. wave maker | February 28th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I have no problem with this. It is a charter school. It meets baseline curriculum requirements set by DOE and controls its own destiny. What’s the point of charter schools if the state tells them what they can and can’t focus on? If you support charter schools, tell me why those who support this one should be denied.
7. Mr. X | February 28th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Wavemaker lives! The man who always brings a boatload of common sense to the table.
Shall we begin today’s lesson by reminding everyone that charter schools are PUBLIC SCHOOLS and thus paid for with TAXPAYER $$$$.
A government of the people, by the people, for the people requires that the government abide by their wishes. Damn, I’m surrounded by elitists who think the constitution is a rumor! Off with their heads!
8. V | March 1st, 2007 at 7:46 am
Um, Mr. X;
You do know that the revolution was almost 220 years ago, right?
From the DOE website:
“Massachusetts Charter School: A charter school is a public school that is managed by a board of trustees and operates independently of any school committee under a five-year charter granted by the Board of Education. It has the freedom to organize around a core mission, curriculum, theme, and/or teaching method and to control its own budget and hire (and fire) teachers and staff. In return for this freedom, a charter school must attract students and produce positive results within five years or its charter will not be renewed.”
So, it seems wave was correct and you were…..not. (See, I think “common sense” is looking up what a charter school is before I comment. But that’s just me.)
X, sorry I don’t have time to do your yard work, I have my own to do. See, I’m not in a union and don’t get paid to sit at home, so I can’t pay someone to do my work for me.
Also, while you have some free time this afternoon, look up “elitist”. To quote Indigo Montoya, you use that word a lot. I do not think it means what you think it means.
9. wave maker | March 1st, 2007 at 10:12 am
LOL you are one clueless nitwit X.
Yes let’s We Who Are Not Residents of the Town of Lancaster tell those rubes what they can and cannot do with their Charter Schools. It obviously has the support of the community, there is apparently a demand for the curriculum, and it certainly can’t be disputed that China has an impact the future of our economy (quite the contrary, one might argue).
Let’s let non-residents of the town and bureaucrats in Boston tell charter school proponents in Lancaster that they can operate a charter school independently, but only if they don’t offer something innovative.
10. Mr. X | March 1st, 2007 at 12:28 pm
V and wavemaker, take a deep breath, such a reaction over what? Charter Schools? Hmmmm, you fellas or gals wouldn’t have a hidden agenda like being on the Charter School gravy train, would ‘ya? There’s something rotten in Denmark!
V, I’m not wrong, please reread my previous and never make that accusation again. wave? What in the wide,wide world of sports is your Lancaster rant about? Please reread directions on your prescriptions…seriously wave, I feel your pain!
11. V | March 2nd, 2007 at 6:20 am
Mr. X;
I reread your post, and I stand by what I wrote. These aren’t personal attacks I am making, just thoughtful argument. An argument isn’t a fight, it’s a discussion. YOU are the one throwing baseless accusations around. If you want to rebut what I wrote, do that. Your union scare tactics are wasted on me.
As for an agenda…..other than being slightly anti-union (which is in no way hidden), I have none. Just because someone thinks you are off base doesn’t mean they have an agenda. I’ve never even set foot in a Charter School. I suspect you have not either. I think you are allergic to results………..
12. Mr. X | March 3rd, 2007 at 11:33 am
V
You want facts? I’ll give you facts! The results for Charter Schools are well documented as long as you avoid the Pioneer Institute’s web page since they are the clearing house for the charters and many of their former exec’s are now profiting from them. This disguised union busting concept, has not produced any statistically meaningful improvement in urban areas, again disregard Pioneer and the Boston Herald’s rants. Face the facts V or can’t you handle the facts? Apparently wave was too busy defending Barbara, the Libertarian, Anderson to return the previous volley. So be it.
13. wave maker | March 3rd, 2007 at 8:13 pm
You’re just a waste of time X. There’s nothing of substance to respond to. You’re just an annoying pest.
14. Mr. X | March 4th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Hey wave, got your goat eh? You were unchallenged before I rode into town. You don’t like the new sheriff who investigates and corrects your every word. See you at the OK Corral @ High Noon!