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12:36 a.m. • 2-11-12

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Bridging Language Barrier Strains Wake Schools


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Bridging Language Barrier Strains Wake Schools
Bridging Language Barrier Strains Wake Schools

Students who don't speak English account for part of the enrollment growth in Wake County schools, putting pressure on the school district's English-as-Second-Language program.

More than 7,000 students are enrolled in the district's ESL program, which is offered at almost all public schools in the county. A quarter of the ESL students don't speak a word of English, officials said.

"For those who come here with limited schooling or are completely unschooled, it's very, very difficult to catch up," said Carol Dukes, who teaches students from 20 different countries in an ESL class at Raleigh's Broughton High School.

The students spend about 45 minutes to an hour a day with ESL teachers like Dukes. The rest of the time is spent in traditional classrooms.

"Many of those students will drop out. It's just so much of a struggle to learn the basics," she said.

The district's ESL program has been growing by about 10 percent a year, director Tim Hart said. Regular classroom time helps students absorb English and adapt, he said.

"They are having to learn English, and yet they've got to learn the regular curriculum also," he said.

Regulations under the federal No Child Left Behind program also require the ESL students to take the same end-of-grade and end-of-course tests as other students.

"People say it's almost like shooting at a moving target with these students," Hart said.

Dukes said she would like to see a different school for those who don't have the language skills and background to thrive in regular classes.

"These students need to be in a special environment with ESL teachers who can help them," she said.

Hart said such a school is in the planning stages. Also, ESL programs will be added next year at Enloe High School and Brooks Elementary School, the only two schools in the district that don't offer the instruction, he said.

RELATED TOPICS: Public Schools, No Child Left Behind, Wake County

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I imagine if I moved to Mexico, it would put a strain on their MSL program as well. And fill up their schools.

"Math and music do NOT depend on English - and Mexican schools are light years ahead of US ones when it comes to math and science. The kids coming in are not ignorant - they just don't speak much English." - Fragment Four

Ha Ha Ha!! While US students may have poor math/science standing in international comparisons compared to a handful of other countries, Mexico usually rounds out the bottom of any of the lists I've seen (PISA, TIMSS, etc).

And speaking of the ignorance of illegals, a significant percentage of illegals are not only uneducated, but they are functionally illiterate in their native Spanish.

Lets see 7000 students equals about 10 elementary schools! Open your checkbook wake county residents.

This should not be a problem. First, if a child's parents are illegally in this country, deport them. We don't need to have the extra cost and problems. Secondly, for those children whose parents are here legally (they should be speaking English at home), the parents should pay for any extra required subjects like English. Afterall when they moved to American, they knew we speak English. When I was in school, subjects like: music, drama, etc. were paid for by my parents because our school didn't have these subjects available. (But of course we had a full sports program!) Until a child can speak the language adequately, he should not be put with the regular classes to slow them down, while the teacher has to accomodate special needs. If special ed kids aren't allowed in normal classes, then other students not meeting the standards should be held back until they can learn on the same level. Anyone moving to another country, doesn't expect everything to change to accomodate him.

If we are legally obliged to educate these kids the they should have to go to English only lessons until they can read and write in english to their grade level. Then they can enter the school system proper at whatever grade their proficency in math and science allow. If we are not obliged to educate them them we shouldn't. There Parents are resonsible for them being here, its their responsibility not that of those of us who are here legally (and pay more than enough taxes to pay for my kids!)

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