Tuesday, January 31st, 2006...11:17 pm
On the Verge of a Deal? Naw.
This morning, I heard on KUAZ that Governor Napolitano stormed out of a meeting with legislative leaders saying, “You don’t need to walk out, because I will.”
Yeah, a nice story, one that would be emblematic of the squabble over the English language learners legislation. It would be, except it seems to be untrue. I spoke to a couple of different sources up in Phoenix that assured me that this story is a load of hooey.
So, someone is telling stories to damage the Governor and mess up the negotiations. Who the heck would do such a thing? I wonder.
The Governor offered a compromise this morning. She requested a clean bill and even offered the Republicans a deal on tuition tax credits. This is called, you know, give and take. It’s what those separation of powers are all about. That’s what Jack Sheldon told me back when I was seven.
Interestingly, the Governor’s compromise targets the tuition tax credits toward ELL programs. This is apropriate, since this whole thing is supposed to be about teaching immigrant kids English. Which should force the Republicans to answer a question: what the heck did their proposal have to do with English language learners?
Of course, it only took a few hours for Weiers and Bennett to reject it out of hand. I guess they really don’t want a deal after all. At what point do they realize that they have been beaten?
10 Comments
February 1st, 2006 at 12:43 am
“been beaten?” Let’s wait and see.
You said this is “about teaching immigrant kids English.” I’ll stipulate that you are correct. But what portion of the kids’ parents are here legally ? Last I checked Prop. 200 was supported by a majority of voters. Check www.espressopundit.com SO HOW WILL IT END? for a more detailed view of the possible outcomes.
February 1st, 2006 at 6:36 am
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February 1st, 2006 at 6:57 am
John E…why are you assuming that just because a kid is an immigrant, they must be illegal? Roger has a good point, we have to educate them regardless of status, but most of these kids are here legally. This has nothing to do with 200, and those legislators that keep bringing it up are just hoping to change the subject.
Yeah, I saw Espresso Pundit, and I am a bit disappointed with his use of the term “Mexican Standoff” on this one.
February 1st, 2006 at 8:37 am
Great reply by kralmajales. A very logical response. Much better than the hatred filled profanity of slim.
I still have one question. When are we just going to federalize the schools ? With the strict mandates of NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND and a federal judge ordering the state what to do it sure does not look much like local education. Just let the Feds take over the whole thing, since they basically already have.
Kralmajales is very correct, the kids are here, let’s educate them. Let’s assume though, even just hypothetical, that 5 of the children are here as a result of illegal immigration across our southern border. Maybe not even from Mexico but from some country outside of North America. It’s a great idea to still educate those 5 kids, like everyone else. But if they were a result of the Federal Government’s inability to seal the border, and that is clearly the job of the Feds, should not the Feds pay for those 5 kids to not only learn English, but for their whole time in Arizona public schools.
Arizona has a very good counter suit. Yes, we will teach the children of Arizona English so that they can learn the other subjects and receive an education equivalent to other children. I even like that idea. But if Arizona can show that a child is in the school system as a result of the Federal Government not preventing the children’s parents from entering the U.S. illegally then have the Federal Government pay for the consequence of that failure on the Feds part. It’s only fair, the Feds want Arizona to do its job then the Feds should do their job or pay for the consequences of their not doing it. The beauty of this solution is that the schools get the money they need and the kids do not suffer.
Another option is bilingual education. No, I don’t mean what used to be called bilingual education where two different groups learn in two different languages, that is more correctly called dual-monolingual education. I am talking about true bilingual, every child, ever grade, every school learns English and Spanish or English and one other foreign language (districts or schools choice to serve their population of students with the second language that is a best fit for the kids in their school.)
Wow, that would be a novel concept ! Actually teach two languages and truly honor and celebrate the cultural heritage of this state. Would the Governor be willing to propose such a bold initiative. If she did she would really run rings around the other side. How would the GOP respond, we are against teaching our children two languages ? The governor would have them in a box.
February 1st, 2006 at 9:35 am
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February 1st, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Damn. I wish Janet had walked out.
You go, girl! I say spread the story far and wide..it might inspire some back bone building amongst some weak-kneed dems. Y’all need to muster up some gumption to win this year, you hear?
February 1st, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Jeniene-
With all due respect, “Weak Kneed Dems”? Have you been following this closely? The Democratic legislative caucus has been united in fighting this nonsense. In some ways, it may even be said that their strength has helped Janet in this situation.
I know that it’s fun for a lot of folks on the left to bash our own office holders, but this is one case where they ought to be congratulated.
February 1st, 2006 at 7:43 pm
Heh.
“God put hatred in men’s hearts for good reason: to ensure justice.”
- Thomas Paine
February 2nd, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Ted - the point of my comment was for Janet (or whomever high ranking dem) to set a good bad ass example for ALL dems who plan to run against Rep incumbents this year. My sights and hopes are much more vast than AZ politics alone.
March 5th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Just what aspect of Napolitano’s proposal would benefit theses children?
Republicans have four elements that would move these children towards successs. 1) High standard states such as Texas have minority children who rank higher in academic success. 2) An end to a system of rewarding failure. 3) Best practices in teaching these children. 4) Allowing these children, many who attend horrible schools, help in choosing a better school for their public education.
The American Research Institute just released a five year study of Engligh Language Learners in California. Ron Unz bitterly criticized the study, but it rang of truth. The study found many a limited number of schools who had great success in teaching ELL’s. Some of these schools move over 90% of these children above the standard. These schools were characterized by mission driven leadership and teamwork that carefully tracked outcomes. In other schools fewer than 10% of the children achieved the standard and the reseachers witnessed teachers openly belittling these students, essentially calling them dumb and lazy.
We need to give these children a chance. That’s why I support providing a public education to these children where they can get the best education, be it a district school, charter school or private school.
John Huppenthal
State Senator
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