Language Barrier May Keep the Grade from Being Raised

Teaching students how to read and write is much more difficult when they don't speak English. It's a problem more and more Oklahoma schools are facing. The state department of education says

Friday, March 19th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Teaching students how to read and write is much more difficult when they don't speak English. It's a problem more and more Oklahoma schools are facing. The state department of education says the number of Hispanic students has increased 200% since 1989.

Some say the language barrier is keeping many schools from raising the grade.

Kayla Robinson, Principal of Marshall Elementary said, "Five years ago, 10% of the students at this school was Hispanic. That changed dramatically almost overnight. Right now we're at 40% Hispanic. It has been dramatic and on going. We're still changing and growing"

The cultural landscape of Oklahoma schools is changing. And with this growing population comes an increasingly heavy burden on educators.

Wendy Couch, English Language Learner Teacher, "Itâ€™s challenging to say the least.â€

All of Wendy Couch's students are English-language learners. They range from 1st grade to 4th grade. Some speak no English, or very little while others have never been to school.

Couch continues, "To be able to bring along just their oral language development is an overwhelming task to get them reading on grade level is an enormous task."

It's a task some educators say that's keeping them from meeting federal standards.

Under No Child Left Behind, all students must perform on grade-level. If one group, like English Language Learners, isnâ€™t making the grade, the school could get branded as low performing.

Teachers say they're making progress, but not enough to meet federal standards.

Couch adds, "Itâ€™s not uncommon that I see children master two years worth of reading skills in one school year but that doesnâ€™t necessarily take them to grade level, and its disappointing if I look at that criteria."

But that criteria is here to stay, and so are the children who need to learn English.

The law does give English-language learners a bit of a grace period. Scores on reading tests do not count towards meeting federal standards during their first year in school.

But â€œNo Child Left Behind'sâ€ impact on English-language learner has been very controversial. Now, the law is changing.

Tune in for next Thursdayâ€™s â€œRaising the Gradeâ€ on the 10pm newscast as The News on 6 takes a look at whether those changes will help Oklahoma schools.