HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/03/2002 - RESOLUTION 2002-084 SUPPORTING THE POUDRE SCHOOL D AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 25
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: September 3, 2002
FROM: John Fischbach
SUBJECT :
Resolution 2002-084 Supporting the Poudre School District Board of Education's Opposition of
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 31 (Unz Initiative).
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Poudre School District Board of Education has adopted a resolution opposing the proposed
ballot initiative to amend the Colorado Constitution by adding section (18) to Article IX entitled
"English Language Education for Children in Public Schools" (Amendment 31).
This amendment requires children to be taught by using the English language in their classrooms and
requires children who are learning the English language (English learners) to be placed in English
immersion programs that are intended to last one year or less.
It allows parents to request a waiver from the English immersion program for their English learner
child. It allows parents to sue for enforcement of the law and to sue any teacher, administrator or
board member who "willfully and repeatedly" fails to implement English immersion programs. It
requires all English learners to be tested every year in English using a nationally standardized test
of academic subject matter.
The Legislative Council has determined the measure carries a fiscal impact for local school districts.
While some cost savings may occur if English learners are limited to one-year in an English
immersion class, English learners who are mainstreamed after one year may require additional
services to ensure federal requirements are met. There may be additional costs associated with
training mainstream teachers on how to teach children still learning English fluency. Sheltered
immersion programs may be more expensive than existing classes if schools provide more intensive
services. An additional test must be implemented by the school district with an estimated cost of
from $25 to $40 per student.
The Poudre School District resolution notes the program is an unfunded mandate that would
eliminate programs centralized for cost savings and require English immersion classrooms to be
provided where the parents choose to enroll their child.
ep em er ,
DATE: ITEM NUMBER: 25
The resolution adopted by the Poudre School District Board of Education opposes the proposed
amendment on the grounds that it would dramatically and negatively impact the District's capacity
to meet the needs of English language learners as well as the needs of all students. Currently parents
of English learners can choose between the English as a second language program and the dual-
immersion bilingual and English immersion program.
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The resolution also urges voters to support local control and individual parent rights to choose
j appropriate educational programming for their children by voting against the proposed English
Language for Children in Public School amendment. Resolution 2002-084 expressed Council's
support for the Poudre School District Board of Education's opposition to Amendment 31.
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RESOLUTION 2002-084
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING THE POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION'S
OPPOSITION OF PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 31 (UNZ INITIATIVE)
WHEREAS, a proposed ballot initiative to amend the Colorado Constitution by adding
section (18) to Article IX entitled English Language Education for Children in Public Schools,
requires children to be taught by using the English language in their classrooms and requires children
who are learning the English language to be placed in English immersion programs that are intended
to last one year or less; and
WHEREAS, this proposed ballot initiative is in the form of a constitutional amendment
because it eliminates the constitutionally established right of local control given to boards of
education to establish and maintain educational programs for its students; and
WHEREAS, on August 12, 2002, the Poudre School District Board of Education passed a
Resolution in Opposition to Amendment 31 (Unz Initiative) stating that this proposed initiative
would eliminate all existing programs for English language learners in the school district and
mandate a"one size fits all" program; and
WHEREAS,the Poudre School District Resolution further states that the fiscal impact of this
. initiative is significant and provides for no additional state funding.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the City supports the Poudre School District Board of Education's opposition to the
proposed state ballot initiative, English Language Education for Children in Public Schools, that
would dramatically and negatively impact the District's capacity to meet the needs of English
Language learners as well as the needs of all students.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 3rd day of September,
A.D. 2002.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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sCHoo- of the Poudre School District Board of Education
DISTRIC
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Opposition to Amendment 21 (Unz Initiative)
WHEREAS, a proposed ballot initiative to amend the Colorado Constitution by adding
section (18) to Article IX entitled English Language Education for Children in Public Schools,
requires children to be taught by using the English language in their classrooms and requires
children who are learning the English language to be placed in English immersion programs that i
are intended to last one year or less; and
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WHEREAS, this proposed ballot initiative is in the form of a constitutional amendment
because it eliminates the constitutionally established right of local control given to boards of
education to establish and maintain educational programs for its students; and
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WHEREAS, a rapidly growing population of students with limited English proficiency
constitutes nearly 10 percent of Poudre School District's student enrollment; and
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WHEREAS, there is no recognized body of research that supports sheltered English
immersion as the most effective instructional strategy for English language learners; and
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WHEREAS, Poudre School District offers to parents of Enghsh language learners
opportunities to choose between English as a second language and dual-immersion bilingual and
English immersion programs; and
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WHEREAS, Poudre School District's programs for English language learners are
integrated into the general student population as opposed to the proposed initiative that
segregates those students from their peers; and
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WHEREAS, the bilingual and English as a second language programs in Poudre School
District are demonstrating increased effectiveness in student learning and achievement; and
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j WHEREAS, the proposed initiative would eliminate all existing programs for English
language learners in Poudre School District and mandate a"one size fits all" program; and
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WHEREAS, the fiscal impact of this initiative on Poudre School District is significant, in
that it provides for no additional state funding, it would basically eliminate central programs and
would require sheltered English immersion classrooms to be provided where the parent chooses
to enroll the child.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Poudre School District Board of Education,
that it hereby declares it's opposition to the proposed state ballot initiative, English Language
Education for Children in Public Schools, that would dramatically and negatively impact the
district's capacity to meet the needs of English language learners as well as the needs of all
students; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the Poudre School District Board of Education
hereby urges registered voters to support local control and individual parent rights to choose
appropriate educational programming for their children by voting against the proposed English
Language Education for Children in Public Schools amendment.
Adopted this twelfth day of August, 2002.
Poudre Sch istrict
Seal: By:
President, Board of Education
Attest:
Secre oard of Education
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