Thread: Schools chief puts cost of ELL programs at $40 million

Schools chief puts cost of ELL programs at $40 million
Mary Jo Pitzl
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 3, 2008 12:10 PM

It will cost $40 million a year to provide schools with the money needed to teach English to non-native speakers, the state schools chief says - a figure that is far short of what the schools say they need.

The request by Tom Horne, the state superintendent of public instruction, opens a new chapter in the long-running battle over how to fund English Language Learner programs.

Horne based his figure on the forms school districts were required to submit to the state Department of Education, outlining the incremental costs of providing English instruction. But his office tossed out many aspects of the test, he said, because schools were adding in costs that aren't related, such as the expense of extra classroom space or special textbooks.





"We had examples of districts that asked for 90 teachers without explanation," he said. "We decided they needed 15."

He also dismissed requests for salaries for summer-camp staff and, in one case, a karaoke machine.

"Those are exception rather than the rule," he said.

In all, the $40 million should cover the costs for 1,500 new teachers dedicated to teaching students who are trying to learn English, Horne said.

Six weeks ago, school administrators estimated it would take $304 million in extra dollars to boost learning among these students, who number around 140,000. A phone call for comment was not immediately returned, but it is expected that school officials will oppose the figure.

Horne's request goes to the Legislature, so the money can be in school district budgets in time for the start of the 2008-09 school year. Horne said lawmakers need to find a way to fund the English programs, despite their struggles to bridge an estimated $1.7 billion gap in next year's budget.

Horne's report came in one day before the March 4 deadline for the state to show a federal judge that it is providing adequate funding for English-language programs. Legislative leaders have asked for an extension to April 18; the court has not yet acted on that request.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... 03-ON.html

P.S. Four schools on the chopping block in Tucson for BUDGET reasons.

If Illegals are moving out of why do they need $40 million for English classes? Do they think the 12 - 20 million will soon become legal and they will need to continue with the English classes? Maybe part of the path to citizenship should be they have to finance the teachers in order to be here. No pay for class good bye.