According to this initiative, LEP students in California are placed in structured/sheltered immersion English classrooms for no more than one year. All their academic subjects are taught in English. However, the class materials and teaching methodology are designed for students who do not speak English. After one year, the student is placed in a mainstream English classroom. Therefore, this proposal eliminates bilingual education in the classroom.

There are a few exceptions to this law. The parent of the child has the right to request for their child to be placed in a bilingual education class by using a waiver.  To do so, one of the following exceptions must be met:

The child is at least ten years of age and the school principal and teachers agree that learning in another language would benefit him/her more.

The child has been in a class using English only for at least thirty days and the principal, teachers, and head of the school district agree that learning in another language would be more beneficial for the student.

The child already is fluent in English and the parents want the child to take classes in another language.

If one of the exceptions is met, then the requirements of this policy can be waived with the prior written consent by the child’s parents or legal guardian. The parent(s) or legal guardian must visit the school and apply in person. At that time, they will be informed of the different types of educational programs choices and opportunities available for their child.

In order for a district to provide a bilingual education class in a school, there needs to be at least twenty or more students in need of such a class. If there are less than twenty students, then the school must allow the students to attend another school that has classes in those languages.

In addition, a new program called Community-Based English Tutoring (CBET) was created. The state is required to provide $50 million every year for ten years for this program.

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