OPPOSITION TO ENGLISH-ONLY STATUTES AND SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS FOR THE NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING

WHEREAS, the American Federation of Teachers is committed to the importance of the English language to national life, individual accomplishment, and personal enrichment; and

WHEREAS, the AFT has a longstanding commitment to equal opportunity and access to educational programs for limited English-proficient children to ensure that these children acquire the necessary English language skills to allow them to compete and become fully integrated members of the economic, social, and political life of this nation; and

WHEREAS, transitional bilingual education is one method of teaching limited-English-proficient children, but other methods such as English as a Second Language and Sheltered English have also proven to be successful alternatives for many such children; and

WHEREAS, the AFT believes that the method of instructing limited-English-proficient children should be flexible enough to meet the needs of these students and that no one method should be mandated by law; and

WHEREAS, our nation's fundamental values, our Constitution, and our statutes ensure tolerance and respect for diversity and guarantee all persons equal protection of the laws; and

WHEREAS, our history as a nation of immigrants has demonstrated that all groups, regardless of their original language, have acquired English over time; and

WHEREAS, legislating English as the official language of the country or individual states will not help those who do not speak the language to acquire it, is unnecessary and deflects attention from the more serious concerns of helping limited-English-proficient adults and children acquire English:

RESOLVED, that the AFT oppose state initiatives or legislative measures mandating English as the official language of this country or any state; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT support a full range of language assistance policies and programs, including, but not limited to, transitional bilingual education for limited-English-proficient children; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT support bilingual assistance for all limited-English-proficient persons to protect public health and safety, the rights of due process, and the equal protection of the laws for all.