New Funds Available to Train Bilingual Teachers in California

screen_shot_2017-07-12_at_9.25.43_pm.png

The 2017-18 state budget includes $5 million in new funding to address teacher training specifically in shortage areas like bilingual education. Photo by Alison Yin for EdSource

By Ashley Hopkinson, EdSource

In the midst of a statewide teacher shortage, the new California state budget includes $5 million to address a shortfall of bilingual teachers, a shortage a new study concludes will continue following the passage of Proposition 58 and the expected growth of bilingual programs.

The new state law, in effect on July 1, lifted an almost 20-year ban on bilingual education and gives districts more flexibility to offer bilingual classes to all students. Under the old law English learners had to be taught in English, unless a parent signed a waiver to enroll their child in bilingual or dual language programs — classrooms where students are taught in English and another language such as Mandarin or Spanish. The goal is learning to read, write and speak in both languages.

Read the complete story at EdSource.

For more information on bilingual education in California, read the Winter 2017 San Francisco Public Press Special Report on Bilingual Schools: How California Is Following S.F. Language Education

Don't miss out on our newest articles, episodes and events!
Sign up for our newsletter