Republic of the Philippines

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

ROXAS CITY, MAIN CAMPUS
Fuentes Drive,Roxas City, Capiz
ENG. 102 Language Programs and Policies in Multilingual Societies (USA)
Reporters: Course Facilitator:

Dr. Miraluna Sabid

Realyn Flotildes Danica Ann Vista

Objectives:
• To discuss the language program and policies of USA
• To obtain new knowledge and ideas about the educational programs, policies, issues and possible
solution to education of USA

"Language Programs and Policies of USA"

Unlike many other countries, the united states does not have an official national language policy.
Educational language policy in the country is largely the result of widely held beliefs and values about
immigrants and patriotism. Traditionally, the discourse on language policy in the USA has been framed
as an either or choice between English and other languages.
Historical Background Of The US Education System
The education system in the United States was first conceptualized during the period when the nation
was under British colonial authority. In 1635, the first public school was opened named the Boston Latin
School and is currently the oldest school in the United States. Soon afterwards, in 1639 the first free
public school was established in Dorchester, Massachusetts known as the Mather School with its
expenses being catered for by the taxpayers. The first curriculum to be developed was made up of basic
arithmetic and literacy which was predominantly taught within homes or churches. The colony of New
England had one of the highest literacy levels in colonial American as its residents embraced education
to enable them to read the Bible. Massachusetts Bay Colony was the first colony to have education
compulsory by law and set a precedent that other colonies quickly followed. Literacy levels in South
Colonies were not as widespread with the planter class favoring private tutoring over the establishment
of public schools. In South Carolina and Georgia, private tuition was widespread with private tutors
marketing their skills in local newspapers. During this period, the school enrollment was predominantly
made up of male students all of whom were white.

In the 17th century, all textbooks were imported from England because no local printers existed at the
time. This situation changed in 1690 when Boston publishers began local printing of the “New England
Primer” which became the first locally printed textbook. In the 18th century, institutions of higher
education such as colleges and universities were few and all were meant for the education of ministers
with doctors and lawyers being trained through apprenticeship. Harvard College was established in 1636
by the colonial government aimed at training young men to become ministers. By the 19th century, the
American education system had grown in leaps and bounds with the 1840 census showing that 55% of
all children in the United States attended education institutions. The enrollment increased in the turn of
the 20th century as more states made education compulsory by law that by 1910, 72% of all children in
the US attended school.

Stages Of Education In The Education System Of The US

Preschool
The average enrollment age for Preschool in the United States is four years. In Preschools, teachers
emphasize the individuality of children where their individual strengths and weaknesses are identified.
Children are also trained to develop their self-expression skills through interactive activities. Preschool is
the lowest category in the education system and offers basic literacy skills as well as developing social
skills.
Elementary School
After going through Preschool, children then graduate to Elementary School. Elementary School is the
institution which provides children with basic primary education between the age of 4 and 14.
Elementary School is divided into five levels which include (from the lowest to the highest) kindergarten,
1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade. The curriculum taught in Elementary School is
 Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
ROXAS CITY, MAIN CAMPUS
Fuentes Drive,Roxas City, Capiz
ENG. 102 Language Programs and Policies in Multilingual Societies (USA)
determined by school district boards with individual school districts having distinct curriculums and
encompasses arithmetic, language proficiency, social studies, and sciences. Teachers in Elementary
Schools are required to have attained a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics showed that in 2009 public elementary schools in
the US had 3.5 million students.
Middle School
Children then enter into Middle School which comprises of 5th grade through to 8th grade. The age
range of children in Middle School is between 10 years and 14 years. Upon completing the four years of
Middle School, students then graduate to High School.
High School
The curriculum taught in High School revolved around “core subjects” which vary across states with
most states having English, Mathematics, Social studies, and sciences as core subjects. Many high
schools also teach elective course which include performing arts such as drama, visual arts such as
painting, journalism, foreign languages, and vocational education. However, the availability of these
elective courses in a school is primarily dependent on the financial situation of the school. The age range
of children in High School is between 15 years and 18 years. Upon completion of High School education,
successful students are awarded a high school diploma which certifies that they are ready for tertiary-
level education.
College And University
The next level is known as undergraduate education which features students from the age of 19 years
up to the age of around 22 years. Undergraduate education in the United States constitutes four years
of studying where upon completion a student is awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in their area of study. The
four years are named as follows (from lowest to highest level) freshman year, sophomore year, junior
year, and senior year.
School Dropouts
In The US Data from the government show that high school dropouts are responsible for 75% of all
reported criminal activities. This worrying statistic is more profound in the country’s Black population
where 60% of all African-American dropouts being incarcerated. The school dropout rate in the United
States is alarming with about 3 million students dropping out of high school annually.
Issues Facing The US Education System
The diverse education system in the United States is one of the most expensive in the world with the
annual budget of the entire education sector being estimated to be around $1 trillion with over $500
billion from public learning institutions. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
reported that the United States government spent more in learning institutions located in affluent
neighborhoods than in institutions situated in poor neighborhoods.

a.The coral way bilingual program

•aims to foster bilingualism and biliteracy of all students, this programs integrated Cuban students and
native English speaking students and taught them bilingually through English and Spanish.
"Bilingual programs/education
•defined as a special service for students who have a problem(defined as limited English skills) that
needs to be fixed.
•Bilingualism refer only to the speaking of two languages.
•Bilingual country is one where the principal institutions provide services in two languages to citizens,
the majority of whom may be unilingual(speak one language)
Bilingual education is divided into two types
1.Transitional
2. Two way/ dual language
b.Title VII of elementary and secondary education act (Bilingual act)
•ushering in the use of LOTE's in education as sanctioned by the US government.
English language Acquisition, Language Enhancement and academic Achievement Act.
Aims to prepared limited English students for rapid placement into mainstream classrooms. States and
local school districts will be able to use federal money to implement a program that they believe is
effective for teaching English and will be accountable for demonstrating limited English proficient
students yearly progress in standardized tests.
 Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
ROXAS CITY, MAIN CAMPUS
Fuentes Drive,Roxas City, Capiz
ENG. 102 Language Programs and Policies in Multilingual Societies (USA)
Policies
The following legislation proposed reflects differences in opinion and general themes between
politicians about what national language should specifically represent.
1.The Declaration of official Language Act of 1995
• Thus Act proposed in the United States House of Representative ( USHR 1996) seems to be a "hard
line" approach to national language policy
2.The Language of Government Act of 1995.
• Sponsored by the USHR (1995) seems to be a less strict policy of English only.
3. HR 123- the bill Emerson English language Empowerment Act of 1996
• Thus act passed the house of Representative on August 1, 1996 and makes English the official
language for government use.
Issues
English is not the official national language of the USA. however, this issue has often come to the
forefront of many political debates, since language encompasses a wide array of political, economic and
various other social implications. Acknowledging the right to the retention of local culture, a historical
and cross-cultural study of language policy is interpreted to justify a limitation on the number of
languages at the national political level of flexibility is maintained for individual states to adjust to the
needs of their constituencies.
Language is the most fundamental and most distinctively human attribute because it allows for the
transmission of culture. (without access to the indigenous language,a portion of that culture may be
lost). National language issues
"The origins"
•The question of a national language was first brought forward in America when John Adams proposed
to the continental congress in 1780 that an official Academy be created to "purify", develop and dictate
the usage of English, but his proposal was rejected as undemocratic and a threat to individual liberty
(American Civil liberties Union 1996)
Us Linguistics before world war I
• The first real legal issues were raised in the pre- world war I Era.
• Sentiments of a common language were introduced when many states passed laws prohibiting public
or private instruction in any language other than English.
• Americanization emerged
State level
•currently, twenty three states have passed some form of " English only" legislation.
•some states statutes declare English as the official language of the state. Although most have been
successfully adopted, the federal court struck down Arizona's official English law in 1990.
Federal level
• At the federal level, precedence for the use of bilingual education has already been established.
• In 1973 lau vs. Nichols supreme court decision quaranteed children the right to equity and access to
education, including bilingual education (Rodriguez 1996).
• American civil liberties union (1996) has recently stated that they believe " English only" laws are
inconsistent with the equal protection clause of the fourteenth Armed men which, in part, guarantees
citizens the right to due process of law and equal protection under these laws.
Parents who posses certain kinds of social capital are most successful in getting schools to develop
language and education programs that support their children. Those coming from homes and
communities with social capital have an option to become bilingual or not; they are elective bilinguals.

Solution. The federal government began to appropriate funds to support foreign language study for
native language English speakers enrolled in k-12 public schools. Some educational measures were also
taken address the needs of language minority students.
References:
http://www.cal.org/areas-of-impact/language-planning-policy/u.s.-educational-language-policy
https://www.scholaro.com/pro/Countries/united-states/Education-System