Educational Changes in California: Positive or Negative?

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Step 1: Read and Understand the Article
- Focus on Sarah Jackson’s main argument in “A HUGE SHIFT’: How California Is Making Up for 20 Years of English-Only Education.”
- Note the key changes she highlights (e.g., more support for bilingual education, recognition of multilingualism as an asset).
Step 2: Decide Your Position
- Ask yourself: Do I agree with Jackson that these changes are positive? Or do I think they could have negative consequences?
- Choose one clear position (positive or negative).
Step 3: Support with the Article
- Use at least two examples from the article to support your stance.
- For example, if you agree with Jackson, explain how bilingual education helps students succeed and preserves cultural identity.
- If you disagree, explain potential downsides (e.g., challenges for teachers, slower English acquisition).
Step 4: Add Personal Experience
- Connect the article’s ideas to your own educational experience.
- Think about whether you or people you know benefited from bilingual/multilingual instruction, or whether English-only policies affected learning.
Step 5: Write Your Response
- Write 1–2 paragraphs answering the question directly.
- First paragraph: summarize the article briefly and state your position.
- Second paragraph: connect your position to your personal experiences.
- Make sure your tone is clear, thoughtful, and reflective.