March 17, 2014
State Representative Juan Candelaria, Chairman of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (B&PRC), testified in support of a bill that will increase to 60 months the amount of time a student is allowed to stay in a bilingual program.
The proposal, SB 476, An Act Concerning the Academic Achievement Gap, raised by the legislature's Education Committee, is a measure Candelaria has been pushing to move forward this session.
"As a voice for our constituency, it is our duty to ensure that every Connecticut student is given a preeminent education," Candelaria said. "Students learning English in our school system are transitioned within 30 months from a bilingual education program into the regular curriculum, many without linguistic or academic proficiency. It is imperative that we address this important issue if we are to keep claiming education as one of our top priorities, and if we want our students to succeed."
In his testimony, Rep. Candelaria pointed out that, according to national research, English language learners (ELL), must receive five to seven years bilingual education to become proficient in both English and their dominant language.
Candelaria added, "In 2010 Connecticut's ELL population surged 59%, and more than 85% of children with immigrant parents are U.S. citizens."
"I am urging my colleagues and the Education Committee to move this legislation forward and give our bilingual students the support they need to make their academic dreams come true," Candelaria said.