Chapter 3: Families and Communities

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 10 percent of all kids in school are English Language Learners, therefore it is not a stretch to think that all students can become proficient in English. 70 percent of those English Language Learners can speak English with no difficulty. This leaves a very small amount of students that need to be brought up to a proficient level of English. Given the resources it is reasonable to believe the school system can raise a focus group 5 to 10 percent. There are programs for students whom English is a second language for as well as many bilingual programs available to help the children become effective. If schools were asked to get 5 percent more kids to know their multiplication tables, and they had extra classrooms designed for students having difficulty with the math, no one would think that was an unattainable goal. The process of learning English and becoming proficient in it will take time, so it is unreasonable to think a high school senior who has never spoken English before can transfer in and become proficient before graduation. There are exceptions to every rule. The goal for all students to become proficient in English is a goal for the American school system, a child who only spends his/her last year or two of school in our system is not a product of the system. There is no question that all students, given the resources, can become proficient in English as they progress through the education process.