Arizona: English-only backed in teacher hires

[Harold F. Schiffman]

>>From the Arizona Star, Published: 03.14.2006

English-only backed in teacher hires
By Howard Fischer

PHOENIX State representatives voted Monday to bar schools from requiring
teachers to speak anything other than English.  They also agreed to ask
Arizonans to once again declare English the official language of the
state.  Proponents of both measures say they're designed to recognize
English already is the language of Arizona and make that fact part of
public policy.  Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Mesa, said his plan to restrict school
hiring practices goes a step further. It ensures applicants for teaching
jobs who don't speak a foreign language are not blocked from employment.
"We're in an English-speaking country, we're in an English-speaking
state," he said. "The (teaching) materials are in English."  The
preliminary vote on Gray's proposal came over the objections of several
legislators.  "If it's going to be dealt with, it should be dealt with on
the local level," said Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, who also serves on
the board of the Cartwright Elementary School District. "There's a reason
we elect school board members throughout the state."  But Gray said the
state is responsible for ensuring that students get educated. He said
lawmakers are entitled to have uniform hiring requirements "so a teacher
can move from district to district without worrying" about being denied a
job because he or she doesn't speak a foreign language."  School districts
could still say they prefer someone who speaks another language. But it
would spell out that, except when hiring foreign-language teachers,
schools cannot refuse to hire those whose only language is English.  Rep.
Gary Pierce, R-Mesa, said that is in the best interests of students.  "Do
we want the best teacher in science or math or economics?" he asked.  "Or
do we want to sacrifice that, sacrifice competency, by requiring they be
bilingual when, in fact, they don't really have to teach in a second or
other language?"  The second bill, to amend the state constitution to
declare English the official language, is similar to one approved by
voters in 1988. But the state Supreme Court blocked its enforcement,
saying it violated federal constitutional rights.  The new version allows
government employees, including legislators, to communicate "unofficially"
with people in any language, including writing a letter, even on official
stationery.  Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said, "Official English promotes
unity, official English empowers immigrants, official English is
common-sense government. We speak English; we ought to promote it."  But
Rep. Pete Rios, D-Dudleyville, called the latest incarnation unnecessary,
as everyone knows that state business is conducted in English.  Rios, who
filed the suit blocking the 1988 law, said legal problems remain with the
revised version.  Both measures require a final roll-call vote before
going to the Senate.  Official English would also have to be ratified by
voters in November.

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