Fallout From the Loss of Bilingual Education
“Dropout Rates High for Immigrant Latinos” (June 13) mentioned that the Pew Hispanic Center found that the lack of proficiency in English and the need to send money home contributed to the high dropout rates for immigrant Latinos. Another component leading to their dropout rates is the lack of programs that assist limited-English-speaking students in taking the required courses to graduate from high school.
After dismantling the bilingual program, students now have to wait until they are proficient in English to take the required science, history and math courses to graduate. In the meantime, they are placed in elective classes knowing that they are not going to graduate without the required courses. It is no wonder they leave school early.
Jacqueline Borja
Counselor, Gabrielino High
School, San Gabriel
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