In 2022, Advancing Justice Southern California worked closely with stakeholders and successfully advocated for $5 Million in state funding for Asian-language bilingual teacher education programs in California, a huge win for teachers and Asian American & Pacific Islander students alike.
This allocation solves for the dramatic shortage of accredited dual language immersion teachers in California, a problem that limited the education options for Asian language speaking students.
DID YOU KNOW:
In 1998, Californians approved Proposition 227 which enforced an English-only approach to teaching English Learner (EL) students. This effectively eliminated most of the state’s bilingual programs. However in 2015, voters repealed Proposition 227 and we’re now seeing a significant resurgence of dual immersion programs. But, California’s public schools are still struggling to find accredited bilingual teachers to keep up with student demand. This is a problem that disproportionately affects AAPI students creating unacceptable inequities in our public education system. During the 2019-2020 school year, a total of 1,062 bilingual accreditations were issued, but only 8% (89) were awarded to Asian languages.
What we’ve accomplished?
- Since the passage of this $5 million grant, the Consortium has already received 97 applications! For scholarships for teachers/students to obtain an accreditation to teach in dual-immersion classrooms. Due to this grant, new Asian language programs will also be added: Japanese, Khmer and Tagalog.
- Expected completion rate in 2023 is above mid-high 90th percentile – with more students expected to graduate in the coming years.
- The $5M funding also allows the Consortium to do outreach activities in order to increase the number of teachers and teacher candidates seeking Asian Language Bilingual Authorization. Outreach activities may include recruiting, advising, mentoring, coordinating.
- This funding is able sustain the Consortium by supporting program coordinators in their recruitment, advising, and coordinating efforts.
- Some CSUs are able to get funding for the first time.
WHY THIS MATTERS:
Studies have shown significant benefits when it comes to Dual Language Immersion Studies. Research has shown that studying a second language increases brain density and cognitive skills, improves memory, and increases attention in addition to enhancing problem-solving skills. These are skills that are not only useful for learning but also, they are essential to a student’s education as a whole and, as well as their future careers. Bilingual adults also tend to have higher average salaries and greater career opportunities than people who speak only one language.
Mastering a new language helps students understand how language works such as forming sentences, choosing the correct words, and expressing themselves in ways they can be clearly understood. Ultimately, dual language immersion exposes students to other cultures outside of their own experiences, helping them to become more curious and empathetic about the wider world and people from different backgrounds. This is especially important in an era where discrimination and acts of hate targeting people of color, particularly AAPI people, has significantly increased.
This win isn’t the end. We will continue to fight for policies such as language accessibility–our communities depend on these actions to form more equitable solutions for all in California.
Continue following our journey on combating Asian Invisibility and how we’re making a difference on advocating for language access by visiting: ajsocal.org/advocacy
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Translated Flyers:
- 普通话/广东话: Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
- Tagalog
- ภาษาไทย: Thai
- 한국어: Korean
- ខ្មែរ: Khmer
- TIẾNG VIỆT: Vietnamese
- हिन्दी: Hindi
