School policy dictates that all students be
treated equally. But is it equitable to
punish students for not knowing English?

If students with grades of CCCD and AAAF are
not allowed to be in after school clubs or
sports, it is because we want them to do
better academically. This is fine for
American students.

ESL students need to learn English as fast
as possible and socialize into the
community. They need be with American
students as much as possible in order to do
this.

It is hurting them academically and socially
to use their grades as an excuse to wall
them off from the American kids.

They need a 2 year grace period to improve
their language and social skillls. Why do
the speakers and research articles fall on
deaf ears? Who would it hurt to do this?

It is indefensable not to allow thsee
students access to the Internet, to force
them to use Apple II's, to not have books
for them, to not give them credit for work
done in their home countries, to give them
the most inexperienced teachers, to not
allow their teacher to talk to the guidance
counselors or see their files, to give them
detention, suspend them, and expel them in
short order.

But maybe this is not how it is done in
other districts, or is it?

Thank you.

tom harrison, tjjhjr@netscape.net,
5/16/01

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