Thread: OR Some students won't have to master English

Some students won't have to master English to get a high school diploma

By Betsy Hammond, The Oregonian
December 03, 2009, 1:35PM

Some high school students with only intermediate English skills who read and write well in their native language will be able to quality for an Oregon high school diploma using those native language skills.

A unanimous Oregon Board of Education voted this afternoon to give that option to a narrowly defined set of students -- those who have lived in the U.S. less than five years, earned the required high school credits and advanced to an intermediate level in English.

Oregon Department of Education officials estimate that roughly 300 high school seniors -- out of about 36,000 who graduate each year -- would qualify to meet state graduation requirements by reading and writing in a language other than English.

"If you can demonstrate mastery in another language and you’re on course in learning English, it makes sense," said state board chairman Duncan Wyse, a Portland business association leader.

Beginning in 2012, Oregon high school students will have to pass the state high school reading test or show equivalent reading skills to earn a diploma. In 2013, they will have to pass an essay test in writing, too.

A panel that advises the Oregon Department of Education on testing issues said students who have strong academic skills in their first language and who immigrate to the U.S. in their mid-teens or later should be permitted to demonstrate the required reading and writing ability in their native language.

It takes at least five years for non-native English speakers to gain full proficiency in English, so those students would not have time to master English before reaching high school graduation, the panel said. They should not be held back from college or careers until they master English, the panel said.

State school board member Jerry Berger, a retired Salem community college president, initially was reluctant to approve the second-language option, and his persistent questioning meant Department of Education staff had to present and refine their plan four times before the board approved it today.

Berger said it would be unfair to students to award them a diploma if they were not ready for college, community college or a decent job -- all of which require English. He voted for the plan today because it requires that the student score at least a three, out of a possible five, on the state's English Language Proficiency Assessment. That is equal to or nearly equal to the English proficiency required to be admitted to a typical community college, according to Tony Alpert, testing director for the state education department.

"The point is, in our high school diploma, that they can take next steps" after graduation, Berger said. "This says they have some English proficiency ... and yes, you can go forward."

Those who are interested can read the state's official description of what a high school student who earns a 3 on the state English proficiency exam can and cannot do.

- Betsy Hammond betsyhammond@news.oregonian.com


http://www.oregonlive.com/education/ind ... ter_e.html

What is wrong with Oregon? Do they realize how much this will cost to find evaluators of proficiency in an obscure language only spoken on the Tundra or a small corner of Baluchistan in two villages?
So Hispanic kids will receive preferable treatment because there are judges easily available, while the kid from somewhere else who is proficent in another language will be discriminated against.
This is not making any sense, and is not less than discrimination.

Gotta love the sanctuary state of Oregon!! I am seriously considering moving in the next year. We are soon to be in a financial mess like California. Maybe I will move to Arizona or Oklahoma.

Originally Posted by OneNationUnderGod

Gotta love the sanctuary state of Oregon!! I am seriously considering moving in the next year. We are soon to be in a financial mess like California. Maybe I will move to Arizona or Oklahoma.

Arizona is getting just as bad. I never considered Tucson to be a border town, but thats what its becoming. Its more like a sanctuary city. The people here are fed up..

Liberal lunatics are multiplying faster than rabbits. I think they even advertise for them to move here----and then they find out there is no employment for them.

"Come on down, free money, free welfare, unemployment, free heathcare"


Whats next? These liberal loons are killing me!

--in the coffin of America.

As a 5th generation Oregonian, This state was so wonderful. But as my dad would say bordering liberal California would be are states DOOM There here in Oregon now with all THERE LEFT WING pro illegal ideas.Forgetting why they moved here, to get away from the 3rd world migration!

I lived in Oregon 25 miles east of Salem in 1980 , it was a great state, infact when you entered Oregon from Calif. they use to have signs that read, have a nice visit...which meant be sure to go home when your done...I can not believe how fast it has been destroyed.


But the same if well on its way to happening in So. Idaho. Good grief we were asleep for too long....Washington is lost too.