Candidates for State Senate need to address educational issues

NOTE:  

In the USA, education is largely the responsibility of the state, not the federal government.  But members of state legislatures are often profoundly ignorant of educational issues.  I suspect that many of them serve in the state government as a stepping stone to running for national office. 

This letter deals with my local district but I think it might appliy to candidates for state government all over the country.

Published in The Acorn  (Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park, Westlake Village, CA), September 29, 2016.
Stern vs. Fazio

I have examined State Senate candidates Stern and Fazio's websites, and have found very little information about their positions on education. One of the primary responsibilities of state government is education, but other than pious pronouncements that education is "important," the candidates rarely mention it.

Our students are being pushed into excessive amounts of science, technology, engineering and math ("STEM") regardless of their personal interests because of the widespread belief that there is a shortage of American experts in these fields. Several studies have shown, however, that this is not so.  Are the candidates aware of this issue? 

- California has consistently has very low reading scores. Research relates this problem to a lack of investment in libraries and librarians. Are the candidates committed to more support for our libraries and librarians?

- Bilingual education was dismantled in California in 1998 by Proposition 227, despite strong evidence that properly organized bilingual programs help language minority children acquire academic English. In the November elections Californians will vote on Proposition 58, which would reverse aspects of 227 and once again allow districts to set up bilingual programs that help minority students. Do the candidates have a position on bilingual education?

- Children today undergo a massive amount of unnecessary and expensive testing that does not contribute to their learning. Arizona State University professor David Berliner has reported that increasing testing does not increase school achievement. Have the candidates carefully examined the impact of testing on our students?

- There is a strong movement from publishing and computer companies toward "competency-based education," a new form of online programmed learning that may result in daily testing. There is little evidence that it works. A report from the National Governor's Association states that there have been "only a few rigorous evaluations" of these programs.  How do the candidates feel about competency-based education?

About 40% of the state general fund budget goes to K-12 education, and another 10% to higher education. I hope that Mr. Fazio and Mr. Stern will present their positions on educational issues.

Stephen Krashen

letter published at: http://www.theacorn.com/news/2016-09-29/Letters/Stern_vs_Fazio.html






Published in The Acorn  (Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park, Westlake Village, CA), September 29, 2016.
Stern vs. Fazio

I have examined State Senate candidates Stern and Fazio's websites, and have found very little information about their positions on education. One of the primary responsibilities of state government is education, but other than pious pronouncements that education is "important," the candidates rarely mention it.

Our students are being pushed into excessive amounts of science, technology, engineering and math ("STEM") regardless of their personal interests because of the widespread belief that there is a shortage of American experts in these fields. Several studies have shown, however, that this is not so.  Are the candidates aware of this issue? 

- California has consistently has very low reading scores. Research relates this problem to a lack of investment in libraries and librarians. Are the candidates committed to more support for our libraries and librarians?

- Bilingual education was dismantled in California in 1998 by Proposition 227, despite strong evidence that properly organized bilingual programs help language minority children acquire academic English. In the November elections Californians will vote on Proposition 58, which would reverse aspects of 227 and once again allow districts to set up bilingual programs that help minority students. Do the candidates have a position on bilingual education?

- Children today undergo a massive amount of unnecessary and expensive testing that does not contribute to their learning. Arizona State University professor David Berliner has reported that increasing testing does not increase school achievement. Have the candidates carefully examined the impact of testing on our students?

- There is a strong movement from publishing and computer companies toward "competency-based education," a new form of online programmed learning that may result in daily testing. There is little evidence that it works. A report from the National Governor's Association states that there have been "only a few rigorous evaluations" of these programs.  How do the candidates feel about competency-based education?

About 40% of the state general fund budget goes to K-12 education, and another 10% to higher education. I hope that Mr. Fazio and Mr. Stern will present their positions on educational issues.

Stephen Krashen

letter published at: http://www.theacorn.com/news/2016-09-29/Letters/Stern_vs_Fazio.html

Note: Stern and Fazio are candidates in California District 27.

In support of skateboard parks and skateboarding

PUBLISHED in the MALIBU TIMES, September 28,2016-09-28

Pro Skate Park

I am very happy to learn that Malibu is considering constructing a skateboard park in the Trancas area and that another will be built at the Bluffs ("Skate park considered for new city land at Trancas," September 15).

Skateboarding is one the best things that has ever happened to young people.  I have spent a great deal of time over the last three years in dozens of skateparks in Southern California, accompanying my grandson and his friends. 

In addition to the obvious fitness benefits,  skate-boarders develop enormous self-discipline, as they patiently practice their moves hundreds of times before succeeding.

The atmosphere is typically friendly, and the spirit is cooperative, with skateboarders coaching and helping each other, and valuable friendships are made. Skateparks are safe places where young people can have the social interaction needed at their age.

An instructive model of a successful and secure skatepark is the Cove, on Olympic and 14th Street in Santa Monica.  It is gated and a supervisor is on duty at all times. Membership is a modest $80 a year and a daily pass is $3 for ages 6-17.

Research shows that skateboarding is a safe sport, provided skaters wear protective gear; a study published in the Journal of Trauma in 2002 reported fewer serious injuries per participant from skateboarding than from football, basketball and bicycling.

Stephen Krashen

If the public knew more about bilingual education, support for Prop 58 would be much stronger.

Sent to the Sacramento Bee, Sept 28.
If the public knew more about bilingual education, support for Prop. 58 would be much higher.
The UC Berkeley poll ("Bilingual education measure has broad support from California voters," Sept 27) asked if students should be allowed to take classes in their native language "until they learn English."  It did not point out that study after study shows that when students are in properly designed bilingual programs they acquire English more rapidly than similar students do in all-English programs. 
Classes given in the native language accelerate the acquisition of English. When children get quality education in their first language, they learn more subject matter. This knowledge helps make the English they hear more comprehensible, which results in more acquisition of English.

Stephen Krashen
original article: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article104555506.html

A misleading poll about bilingual education

Sent to The Mercury News, Sept. 28
Re: ("Poll: Repeal of bilingual education ban leading, Sept 28). 
California's Prop 58, would restore bilingual education. A recent poll said that there was support for 58, but respondents were not enthusiastic about 58 after reading one of eight summaries of the measure.
The summaries said that we should allow students to take classes in the native language to keep their culture and language, or because bilingualism will help students eventually "get good jobs."  True, but there is another reason to allow instruction using the first language: It results in better English.
The summaries also said that English-only is the way to "preserve our common American culture and language," and "English is necessary."  This assumes that the only way to acquire English is through English-only programs, which is false.
How would people react if they knew that students in well-designed bilingual programs consistently outperform similar students in all-English programs on tests of English? That's exactly what the research says.

Stephen Krashen
Original article: http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/09/28/bilingual-education-proposal-leads-when-voters-dont-know-it-would-undo-ban/
Poll: done by Institute of Government Studies, UC Berkeley
Research, most recent analysis: McField, G. and McField, D. 2014.  "The consistent outcome of bilingual education programs: A meta-analysis of meta-analyses." In Grace McField (Ed.) The Miseducation of English Learners. Charlotte: Information Age Publishing. pp. 267-299.

Bilingual educators need to do a better job of communicating with the public.

Sent to the Petaluma Argus Courier
Re: Poll: No on Prop. 58 for bilingual education, Sept. 22
Of the ten responses to an online Argus Courier poll, seven respondents said they do not support bilingual education, because of the importance of English.
One of the most consistent results in all of educational research is the finding that properly organized bilingual programs are more effective in helping children acquire English than all-English programs.  Only one respondent out of ten was aware of this.
Bilingual educators need to do a better job of communicating with the public.
Stephen Krashen
Prof. Emeritus
University of Southern California
original article: http://www.petaluma360.com/news/education/6110056-181/poll-no-on-prop-58

How bilingual education helps.

PUBLISHED in the Sacramento Bee, September 21, 2016

as  Bilingual education helps kids learn

San Juan Unified administrator Martha Quadros notes that sometimes parents don't understand how developing the home language helps children transition to English.  It helps in two ways:
When children get quality education in their first language, they learn more subject matter: This knowledge  helps make the English they hear more comprehensible, which results in more acquisition of English.
It is much faster to learn to read in a language the child understands. Once the child can read in the first language, this ability transfers rapidly to the second language.
Good bilingual programs teach subject matter and develop literacy in the first language in early stages. They start English as a second language classes immediately, and teach subject matter in English as soon as it can be made comprehensible.
And it works. Research has shown that students in quality bilingual programs outperform students with similar backgrounds on tests of English reading.
Stephen Krashen
Original article: New catalyst for bilingual education on November ballot. http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article102632417.html

Bilingual programs do not prevent the acquisition of English – they facilitate it. (Letter in LA Times, 9/10/16)

Published in the Los Angeles Times, Sept 10, 2016

To the editor: I strongly agree with your editorial. In fact, bilingual education is even more effective than the Times' sources indicate.

( “Return to bilingual education,” Editorial, Sept. 7)

The most rigorous research design is to compare the progress of children in bilingual programs and children in all-English programs with similar backgrouds.

In general, these studies have shown that children enrolled in bilingual programs do better than children in all-English programs on tests of English reading.

Bilingual programs do not prevent the acquisition of English – they facilitate it.

Stephen Krashen, Los Angeles

ORIGINAL VERSION Sent to the Los Angeles Times, Sept. 7, 2016

I strongly agree with the LA Times editorial: "Proposition 58 would bring back bilingual education in California. And that's a good thing." 

In fact, bilingual education is even more effective than the Times' sources indicate.  The most rigorous research design is to compare the progress of children in bilingual programs and children in all-English programs with similar backgrounds. In general, these studies have shown that children enrolled in bilingual programs do better than children in all-English programs on tests of English reading.

In the most recent analysis, Professor Grace McField (Cal State San Marcos) and David McField (MiraCosta College) examined 89 studies comparing bilingual education and English immersion. They concluded that when the programs and research design are set up correctly, the superiority of bilingual education is considerably larger than previously reported.

Bilingual programs do not prevent the acquisition of English – they facilitate it.

Stephen Krashen