View Content #10434

Contentid10434
Content Type1
TitleParents Fight to Keep Bilingual Schools Open
Body
From http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/78657582.html

Parents fight to keep bilingual schools open
By Georgia Pabst
December 6, 2009

Parents at two largely Latino, bilingual schools - one on Milwaukee's south side and one in Waukesha - are waging battles to save their schools.

Although Kagel and White Rock elementary schools stand 18 miles apart in separate counties, the debates at both fit into the larger, national philosophical issues about bilingualism, small schools vs. large schools, economic pressures on school districts and changing demographics.

This demographic trend of linguistically diverse populations, especially those who speak Spanish, will continue, said Martin Scanlan, an assistant professor for educational policy and leadership at Marquette University.

Schools that view language as an asset as opposed to something that has to be compensated for generally develop better and more successful bilingual programs, especially dual bilingual programs that include all students, he said.

Research also shows that students in small schools that are more connected to parents and build community connections are more successful, he said. That's especially true in Latino families who are more mobile and marginalized, he said.

Read the full article at http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/78657582.html
SourceMilwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
Inputdate2009-12-14 12:05:43
Lastmodifieddate2009-12-14 12:05:43
ExpdateNot set
Publishdate2009-12-14 00:00:00
DisplaydateNot set
Active1
Emailed1
Isarchived1