Advancement Project Supports Proposition 58
On Tuesday, August 23, 2016, the LAUSD Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution to support the state ballot initiative Proposition 58: LEARN (Language Education, Acquisition and Readiness Now). This state ballot initiative will support continued teaching of English in our schools, open the avenues to multilingual education for all students and amend parts of Proposition 227, and will be brought to California voters on November 8, 2016. The Proposition is a result of a bipartisan vote in the Legislature sponsored by Senator Ricardo Lara.
Proposition 58 not only provides more flexibility and greater educational options via access to innovative language programs, but it will also align state policy with what over 15 years of research strongly demonstrates is best for our students. Children have an innate capacity to learn multiple languages from birth and the research helps us understand the powerful impact early bilingual and multilingual exposure offers. Studies show that children and adults who speak more than one language also have an advantage in their ability to think flexibly, and possess the kinds of skills that are critical to 21st century college and career success.
California stands to gain tremendously by creating more innovative opportunities and multiple pathways throughout our education system, from cradle to career, to better develop our children’s unique strengths and produce graduates with skills that prepare them to thrive in the global economy. LAUSD joins Governor Brown, Advancement Project California, Californians Together, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), the California Teachers Association (CTA), the California PTA and many other organizations, community leaders, and school districts to support passage of Proposition 58.