The Department of Education is re-evaluating bilingual education and Chinese parents should voice their opinions, Che Wei–she, World Journal, 30 January 2003. Translated from Chinese by Yik Kong.

As Fujianese immigrants become the main group of recent Chinese immigrants, the number of Fujianese students increases significantly. Fujianese students’ language problems are beginning to catch the attention of the education community.

Bilingual Specialist En Chiang Sing said that parents should understand their rights and ensure that if their children don’t know English, they are able to enter bilingual classes. If there are no bilingual classes in a school, students can transfer to another school or district. If there are about 20 Chinese students in a school, parents can request the school set up bilingual classes.

En also said that the Department of Education is currently evaluating new polices on bilingual education, and he encouraged Chinese parents to use this opportunity to voice their opinions and urge the Department of Education to consider the rights of Chinese students.

En is also the New York State Association of Bilingual Education’s Asian language representative. He said that recently, many Fujianese parents told education officials that their children do not want to attend school and that their children do not understand anything in class. On Jan. 16, at the Department of Education’s “Children First” town hall meeting, many Fujianese parents complained that their children have difficulty learning in regular classes. Furthermore, because of their children’s language barrier, the kids are often made fun of. Therefore, the parents hope that their children can attend bilingual classes.

According to En, Fujianese students face barriers other than language. There are Fujianese students who never attended school in China. They know only Fuzhouese, and are unfamiliar with the more common Cantonese and Mandarin. In addition, regular public schools have limited numbers of Fujianese faculty. Therefore, the schools are incapable of teaching these students effectively.

He urged immigrant parents to find people who speak Chinese in school district offices or in schools after their children arrive in the United States. When they choose a school, parents investigate whether there are bilingual classes available near their home. If there are no bilingual classes, then they should request a transfer to another school or district. “Many times school officers don’t bother to help parents with the transfer process. However, it’s the parents’ right [to a transfer], and they must actively purse this right.” If they cannot find bilingual classes, they should find ESL classes with Chinese teachers. In addition, if there are more than 20 Chinese students in a school, parents can ask the school to set up bilingual classes. If the school is unwilling, parents can talk to the school district.

He said that many parents must be careful when applying for school and answering questions from school officers. He explained that when many parents are asked, “Do you want your children to learn English?” many automatically answer, “yes” and sign an Opt-Out agreement that places their children in regular classes and strips their right to attend bilingual classes.

The Department of Education is currently very concerned with the situation of Fujianese students, En said. Besides difficulties with English, officials discovered that many Fujianese students, particularly those older than 13 attending middle and high school, have a greater tendency to skip classes and drop out. “The current learning and behavioral problems faced by Fujianese students are similar to those of students from Canton, Taishen and Taiwan during earlier immigration trends.” The Department of Education has begun to focus on this challenge and plans to train faculty to help the Fujianese students. However, En hopes that more Chinese parents will use this opportunity to reflect the needs of Chinese students to the Department of Education.

Besides voicing their concerns to the Department of Education, parents can also attend a big conference set up by NSYABE, a renowned bilingual education organization, from March 27 to 30 in Tarrytown, N.Y. On March 27, there will be many workshops for parents. Chinese parents and educators can use this opportunity to voice their opinions and request the organization set up Chinese workshops for Chinese parents. For information, visit www.nysabe.org.