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U.S. English Chairman Says Texas Lawsuit Demonstrates Critical Need for Official Language Policy

U.S. English Chairman Says Texas Lawsuit Demonstrates Critical Need for Official Language Policy

June 12, 2014

Washington, DC—U.S. English Chairman Mauro E. Mujica today issued the following statement in response to a Texas lawsuit alleging that English language learner students, specifically Spanish speaking students, in the Lone Star State are not receiving adequate English language instruction.

The lawsuit, filed this week by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) on behalf of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), alleges that the Texas Education Agency and state school districts are violating the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 by not taking appropriate action to overcome language barriers that prevent English language learner (ELL) students from achieving academic success at the same level as their peers.

“English proficiency is key to success in the United States, and it is crucial that English language learners receive the instruction and resources necessary to help them acquire proficiency in the shortest amount of time,” Chairman Mujica said. “I commend LULAC for taking a stand to ensure that Texas ELL students have access to quality English learning programs, and I am hopeful that this lawsuit will lead to a reevaluation of English as a Second Language programs in the state and the implementation of more effective instruction for all ELL students.”

LULAC filed a similar lawsuit in 2006, only to have the ruling in its favor reversed by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

“This lawsuit should also serve as a wakeup call to state legislators on a larger scale, demonstrating the need for an official language policy statewide,” Mujica continued. “Limited English proficiency is not a problem that is limited to school-aged children. In Texas, more than 14 percent of residents are considered limited English proficient, meaning they would struggle to carry on more than a basic conversation in English.”

“Currently, Spanish speakers account for close to 30 percent of the state’s foreign language speaking population, and the state provides many services, including driver’s license exams, in Spanish. In Texas, especially as a Spanish speaker, getting by without English proficiency is made easy. For non-English speakers of any age, being surrounded by English helps lead to faster acquisition. Texas lawmakers would be wise to recognize English as the state’s official language, providing documents and services in English rather than foreign languages, to add an incentive for faster English learning. With English proficiency, the doors to success open for people of all ages, and it is time the state government sets a strong precedent to encourage English learning among all residents,” Mujica concluded.

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