What is Prop 203? Battle over English instruction in schools heats up, but not everyone thinks there's an issue

This push comes in response to current policies that ASBA believes hinder effective teaching.

PUBLISHED AUG 21, 2024

Adding to the controversy, a Scottsdale mother, who co-authored Proposition 203, is suing her school district.

Phoenix, Arizona: The Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) is advocating for more flexibility in how English language instruction is delivered to students, particularly those who are English Language Learners (ELLs). This push comes in response to current policies that the association believes are too rigid and hinder effective teaching.

The issue centers around Proposition 203, which mandates that English immersion be the primary method of instruction for ELL students. However, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne’s strict interpretation of the law has sparked debate. The ASBA argues that the current policy does not allow educators to tailor their teaching methods to the needs of their students, which they believe is critical for improving language skills.

"Students are falling behind because of the way English immersion is currently mandated," said a representative from the ASBA. "We don’t want a policy that prescribes in minute detail how English must be taught. Educators need the flexibility to use methods that best serve their students’ academic development, rather than adhering strictly to immersion ideology."

In 2023, the four-hour English immersion program showed a pass rate of 29%.

Data from Horne's own department reveals a trend: the number of non-English speaking students passing Arizona's standardized English tests has declined in recent years. In 2023, the four-hour English immersion program showed a pass rate of 29%, a slight improvement.

Horne, however, remains committed to the current policy, which prioritizes English-only instruction. He argues that the "50/50 model", which involves teaching in both English and the student's native language, undermines the goals of Proposition 203. Despite this, the Arizona State Board of Education has already approved the 50/50 model, reflecting a growing shift in opinion about the best way to teach ELL students.

Adding to the controversy, a Scottsdale mother, who co-authored Proposition 203, is suing her school district over its implementation of the English immersion program. Horne has aligned himself with her cause, dismissing the ASBA’s push for change.

"What the ASBA is attempting to do is already allowed within the existing models. I’m not really sure why they’re pushing for more flexibility," Horne stated.

What is Prop 203?

Proposition 203 refers to the 'English for Children' initiative, which was passed by Arizona voters in 2000. Here are the key aspects of Prop 203

Elimination of Bilingual Education: Prop 203 mandated that all public school instruction be conducted in English. This effectively ended bilingual education programs and required that ELL students be placed in structured English immersion (SEI) programs instead.

Structured English Immersion (SEI): Under SEI, ELL students are taught in English with a focus on rapid language acquisition. The goal is for students to become proficient in English as quickly as possible, usually within one year.

Parental Waivers: Although Prop 203 made SEI the default, parents could apply for waivers allowing their children to participate in bilingual education if certain conditions were met. For example, students who already knew English, those over the age of 10, or those with special needs could qualify for waivers.

Impact on ELL Students: The proposition was controversial, as critics argued that it limited educational opportunities for ELL students and led to lower academic achievement among this group. Supporters, however, believed it was necessary for ensuring that all students learn English effectively.