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The Nationality Act of 1906 required those seeking American Naturalization to speak English.  This act was a result of the dramatic increase in the number of immigrants around the turn of the 20th century. The immigrants lack of English ability caused social, political and economic concerns.  American citizens wanted immigrants to assimilate and thus English competence became synonymous with loyalty to the United States. This act is important to bilingual education today because it is the first example of the U.S. looking at the use of other languages as something negative rather than positive. The Nationality Act seems to be one of the first forms of legislation that has glorified monolingualism while stifling bilingual education that could have led to a more multilingual nation.

Reference:

Baker, C., Wright, W. E. (2021). Historical Introduction to Bilingual Education in the United States.  Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 7th Edition, (pp.180-207). Multilingual Matters.

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When the United States entered World War I the German language was seen as a threat to Americanization due to the spread of anti-German feelings among Americans. This resulted in more emphasis on English monolingualism and assimilationist policy that were achieved through monolingual education. Schools became the place for this assimilation and becoming an American required the elimination of languages and cultural activities that were not in English. This event is important to Bilingual Education today because like the Nationality Act, previously described, it posed an even larger threat to multilingualism due to the fact that it created a scenario of an "ally and enemy."  In this scenario, any language that was not English could carry this stigma of being "the enemy." The challenges to bilingual education through out American History could perhaps still carry this underlying idea that loyalty to America can only exist through English proficiency and monolingualism.

Reference:

Baker, C., Wright, W. E. (2021). Historical Introduction to      Bilingual Education in the United States.  Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 7th Edition, (pp.180-207). Multilingual Matters.

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Restoration of bilingual education - Mid-1960's

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Restoration of bilingual education - Mid-1960's

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Despite the blows to multilingualism and bilingual education in the early 20th century, the later 20th century had some victories.  In 1963, in South Florida, Cuban exiles started the first modern dual language school in the United States, Coral Way Elementary School in Dade County. The establishment of this school is seen as a big step in the restoration of bilingual education. Also in the mid-1960's other schools were using bilingual programs in Texas, New Mexico, California, Colorado and Arizona. The emergence of these bilingual programs is important to bilingual education today because despite the great challenges to multilingualism in the early 20th century, a few bilingual programs managed to succeed. These schools could provide a road map and guidance for other potential burgeoning bilingual programs.

Reference:

Baker, C., Wright, W. E. (2021). Historical Introduction to Bilingual Education in the United States.  Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 7th Edition, (pp.180-207). Multilingual Matters.

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Every Student Succeeds Act - December 10, 2015

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Every Student Succeeds Act - December 10, 2015

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President Obama signed the "Every Student Succeeds Act" into law in 2015.  This brought "No Child Left Behind" to an end which then allowed schools to look at language learner's growth over time rather than the sole focus being on meeting set passing scores. This act gave states more flexibility in designing their own accountability systems for EB students. This greater flexibility has opened up the possibility for EB students to have more realistic expectations regarding their progress. It has also opened up the possibility for EB students to have more attention and bilingual programs to have greater support. This event is important for bilingual education today because as stated previously, it allows schools to be less rigid and more flexible in meeting the needs of their EB populations and creates a greater possibility of more support for bilingual programs. It also relieves some of the pressure of high stakes standardized testing.

Reference:

Baker, C., Wright, W. E. (2021). Historical Introduction to Bilingual Education in the United States.  Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 7th Edition, (pp.180-207). Multilingual Matters.

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Appointment of Miguel Cardona - March 1, 2021

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Appointment of Miguel Cardona - March 1, 2021

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President Biden appointed Miguel Cardona as the U.S. Secretary of Education in 2021. Secretary Cardona is a former ELL student and holds a masters degree in bilingual education. He also has a long career in education as a teacher, principal and district administrator. This event is important for Bilingual Education today because of the fact that Cardona himself has "walked in the shoes" of a bilingual student. It is significant that the top ranking education official in the U.S. can empathize with and understand the needs of bilingual students. His selection provides promise that he will be a strong advocate for bilingual education and use his influence to improve and move bilingual education forward in the United States.

Reference:

Baker, C., Wright, W. E. (2021). Historical Introduction to Bilingual Education in the United States.  Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 7th Edition, (pp.180-207). Multilingual Matters.