¡Si Se Puede Take the Test!
Test takers who are still learning English get a special treat this time of year...
Pssst: did you know that there is a connection between how well one speaks English and how well one performs on a test conducted in English? If your answer was *no,* *I don’t understand the question,* or *charter schools,* an exciting leadership opportunity awaits. It’s time for another round of Let’s Take Over a District. This season’s lucky winner: scenic Holyoke, Massachusetts. We’re headed west, young reader, and there’s not a moment to spare.
Good luck with thatShall we begin with a bit of context? Readers who reside outside of the Bay State’s 10,555 square miles (note: includes water) might be surprised to learn that the state consists of more than Kennedys, Bradys, Wahlbergs and Bulfinches. In fact, Massachusetts is home to an astonishing diversity of immigrants who come from all over the world to enjoy our 10 months of winter. Many of these newest residents reside in what are known as *Gateway Cities* like Holyoke. And the newest, newest residents—those young enough to go to school—receive an extra special welcome this time of year: a bilingual dictionary, a sharpened pencil, and a standardized test given in English.
We’re number one (year)
But wait—there’s more, or rather, mas in this case. You see, back in 2002, Massachusetts voters voted to get rid of bilingual education in favor of a speedier system that would require students to learn English in a year because, well, ¿how hard can it really be to learn another language? For school districts like Holyoke, where close to 30% of students are still learning English, this presents something of a challenge, especially since the state, which is now poised to take over the Holyoke schools for persistently low test scores, has found that the *one-year and you’re mainstreamed* policy leads to proficiency for just 20% of English Language Learners. Oh, and that ELL students are three times more likely to drop out of school, which I’m pretty sure is also one of the reasons why the state is now considering serving papers on Paper City.
But wait—there’s more, or rather, mas in this case. You see, back in 2002, Massachusetts voters voted to get rid of bilingual education in favor of a speedier system that would require students to learn English in a year because, well, ¿how hard can it really be to learn another language? For school districts like Holyoke, where close to 30% of students are still learning English, this presents something of a challenge, especially since the state, which is now poised to take over the Holyoke schools for persistently low test scores, has found that the *one-year and you’re mainstreamed* policy leads to proficiency for just 20% of English Language Learners. Oh, and that ELL students are three times more likely to drop out of school, which I’m pretty sure is also one of the reasons why the state is now considering serving papers on Paper City.
¿Comprende? Perhaps Holyoke student Jose Dominicci who arrived in the US at the age of 10 and took seven years to learn English en route to becoming a valedictorian can help us understand why the state’s policy doesn’t make any sense. Jose: take it ¡Si Se Puede Take the Test! | EduShyster: