Lawmakers: Exempt Native youth from English learner program (fwd link)

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Lawmakers: Exempt Native youth from English learner program

By Alyson Zepeda
USA

PHOENIX — Three northern Arizona lawmakers want to exempt Native American
students from English immersion classes the state requires for those who fail a
basic language skills test.

The lawmakers, Sen. Albert Hale, D-Window Rock, Rep. Christopher Deschene, D-St.
Michaels, and Rep. Tom Chabin, D-Flagstaff, say that Arizona's English Language
Learner program interferes with students who are continuing to learn their
native language and inhibits tribes' efforts to preserve their cultures.

''To preserve their identities, their languages are a critical part of that and
I support any action in a tribe's effort to preserve its own identity," said
Deschene, author of HB 2527, which would provide the exemption.

Access full article below:
http://www.cherokeephoenix.org/3428/Article.aspx