School 'shocked' by English-only rule

Published: Feb. 5, 2009 at 11:59 PM

VINELAND, N.J., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Administrators at a South Jersey high school say they only learned of a substitute teacher's English-only policy when they heard from the ACLU.

The American Civil Liberties Union obtained a copy of the contract the teacher allegedly made students in a special-education class at Vineland High School North sign last year, The Vineland (N.J.) Journal reported. Charles Ottinger, the school superintendent, said he was "shocked" when the group sent him a copy last week.

The teacher filled in for six weeks at the high school during the last school year. She handed out what she called a "Classroom Protocol Contract," telling the students that signing it would count as a test grade.

The contract included an English-only clause: "This is an English speaking school and classroom -- any other language other than English will not be tolerated."

Ottinger said Wednesday the teacher would be called in and advised that the school has no English-only policy and that instituting one is not condoned.

No students or parents complained about the contract, the newspaper said.

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