Big Change for Language Education in CA Schools

On behalf of the CTLA Executive Director Lorraine D'Ambruoso:


ATTENTION WORLD LANGUAGE TEACHERS:

Assemblymember Warren Furutani has returned with his bill - AB 2446. This bill, if passed, will enable students to substitute Career / Technical Education courses for world languages and the arts to meet their high school graduation requirement in this area. We need to become as unified as possible in opposing this bill. Please contact your Assemblymembers ASAP and request that they oppose this bill. Time is critical here.

A special appeal to our colleagues from district 55, representing Long Beach, Carson, Lakewood and Wilmington, etc: PLEASE be sure to contact Mr. Furutani and inform him that you oppose this bill since it takes away a key 21st. Century Skill to enable California's students to compete in the global economy. Legislators respond much more favorably to messages that come directly from their constituents, so it is critical that you contact him. His e-mail address is Assemblymember.Furutani@assembly.ca.gov. DISTRICT OFFICE:4201 LONG BEACH BLVD., SUITE 327, LONG BEACH, CA 90807 TEL: (562) 989-2919 (562) 989-2919

If you do not know who your assembly members are, simply go to http://www.legislature.ca.gov and type in your zip code. And voilà! you will have your contact information. If you have sent a letter to CTA, just modify it for Furutani, or your own Assembly member. If you have time, please cc all the members of the Assembly Education Committee.

Please do this ASAP. And if you need ammunition to support your request, just go to the CFLP web site and download Duarte Silva's new policy brief on the academic and economic benefits of world language and culture education. It is a very powerful and compelling case for world language instruction, and it will have more than you could possibly use.

But if you need more, visit the CLTA web site and read the article Advocacy Chair Nicole Naditz wrote "Skills for the 21st Century" which is also a valuable resource. No, I have not provided a template. We cannot make it seem as if we are all sending the same letter, which tends to happen with sample letters!

Thank you,

CLTA Advocacy Committee

Lorraine D'Ambruoso

Executive Director, CLTA

1636 Fruitwood Ct

San Jose, CA 95125

(408) 264-6996 (Office)

(408) 448-5356 (Home)