Last minute attempts by Senator Alpert to present her modified plan to extend the life of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism in the California K-12 public school system demonstrates a callous disregard of the welfare of the children who have suffered the dumbing down effect of this failed effort.

The proponents of this travesty have insisted on perpetuating what began as an attempt to correct a narrow deficiency in the school program which was brought to light in the Lau v. Nichols action. In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court observed that the California Education Code states that "English shall be the basic language of instruction in all schools."

Sprinkled liberally throughout the 19 page document that describe the Chacon-Moscone Act is the
following sentence which explains the regulations promulgated for and on behalf of pupils of limited
English proficiency: "The primary goal of all such programs shall be to teach the pupils English." As a
matter of fact, that sentence is iterated no less than three times on Page 4 alone.

Further, section 52167 states: "In no event shall the primary purpose of the program be to teach a foreign language to English speaking pupils." This is consistent with the Supreme Court direction. That section also states as "the policy of the state" to ensure "the mastery of English by all pupils in the schools." And bilingual instruction is authorized "to the extent that it does not interfere with the systematic, sequential, and regular instruction of all pupils in the English language."

The Alpert bill is inconsistent with both the spirit, letter and intent of both the previous legislation and with the U.S. Supreme Court's guidance. More importantly, it is bad legislation and not in the children's best interest.