Biliteracy will now be a priority in the San Diego Unified school district. The school board approved a policy yesterday that makes learning two languages a goal for all district students.
San Diego State professor Alberto Ochoa has been a champion of biliteracy programs for decades. He calls yesterday’s vote an important first step.
"I’m excited. This is historic," Ochoa said after the school board approved the policy. "At the same time, I realize there is a lot of work to be done. The district has never had a policy on biliteracy."
Ochoa will help the district develop an action plan to create more biliteracy programs – from high school foreign language classes to elementary school programs that teach academic subjects in a language other than English. Some district officials warn, however, a lack of money and resources could potentially slow down the overall initiative.
