Bilingual education is not beneficial

Bilingual education is not beneficial

It's time to "raise the expectations" bar on public education systems when it comes to bilingual education.

You aren't getting your money's worth. Teaching kids to speak English is the key that unlocks their future.

All students would learn English quickly if they were placed in English-taught classes. We do it for all ethnic groups except for Latinos.

Non-English speakers of Latino descent are placed in bilingual education. Why is that? The goal should be that 100 percent of all students that graduate from any public high school system in the state of Illinois be proficient in speaking, reading and writing the English language so that they will able to contribute to the economy and participate in our society.

Mastering the English language is necessary to be successful in college or in the work force. The state measures public school districts by testing the progress of our students in grades 3, 5, 8 and 11. The test is called the Prairie State Achievement Exam. The PSAE is administered in English.

Does anyone need a scholarly study commissioned to tell us that if a student doesn't read, write and speak English they will not do as well as they might if they were proficient in English?

Some parents complain that their Hispanic surname automatically places their child in bilingual education programs as early as preschool. Unfortunately in some districts that's true. Some parents demand their kids be placed in English taught classes. How cool!

Research conducted by Dr. Lourdes Ferrer in 2005 shows that contrary to modern myth, Hispanic kids want to learn English. It is the responsibility of every public school to teach these kids correct English-speaking skills quickly.

Speak it, read it, write it and comprehend it!

Tony Reyes

president, West Chicago Community High School District 94