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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2001
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Contact:
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Laura Macklem
202-833-0100
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U.S ENGLISH Asks School Board To Help Protect Students Language Rights
(WASHINGTON DC) After noting disturbing reports that some Utah school
personnel have forbidden students to speak any language other
than English, U.S.ENGLISH Chairman/CEO Mauro E. Mujica formally
registered his strong concern with Utah State Superintendent of
Public Instruction Steven Laing. Mujica sent a letter yesterday
to Superintendent Laing, asking his office to help protect the
rights of students who wish to speak languages besides English.
"We are very concerned by recent news media reports of incidents
in which students in Utah public schools are possibly and
erroneously being told they cannot speak any language but
English in hallways, playgrounds, and lunchrooms," said
Mujica in a letter sent yesterday to Superintendent Laing.
"We have no way of knowing whether this is simply their lack
of understanding of the Official English statute, or a result
of inappropriate attempts to create the dire consequences that
some opponents of Initiative A inaccurately predicted.
"We strongly urge that the Board take this responsibility
seriously, and help prevent the kinds of unfortunate
misinterpretation of the law that have been reported."
Initiative A, a voter approved measure which declares English
the official language of Utah, passed last November with 67
percent of the vote. This Monday, Utah's Third District Court
upheld the constitutionality of Initiative A, as the measure
does not compromise free speech.
Initiative A was carefully crafted to avoid any interference
with education, or the ability of educators and students to
communicate. The statute requires the Board of Education to
develop rules to help non-English speaking students quickly
learn English, while encouraging foreign language instruction.
In addition, the statute requires that effective communication
to be established with non-English speaking parents.
"The Board of Education has a legal and civic responsibility
to take Initiative A seriously, and to properly inform school
personnel of the true intent and requirements of this measure,"
said Mujica.
"As an immigrant who speaks Spanish at home and with my
family, I am well aware of the enrichment that comes from
being free to communicate in the language of my choosing.
At the same time, I know from my own experiences how important
it is that we encourage all students to become proficient in
English. The fundamental purpose of the Official English
statute is to allow such enrichment and instruction to
flourish simultaneously in our state, and in our schools."
U.S.ENGLISH is the nation's oldest, largest citizens' action
group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English
language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen.
S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S.ENGLISH now has more than 1.4
million members nationwide. To learn more about U.S.ENGLISH visit
our website at www.us-english.org
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