In 2002, one of the ballot questions put to Massachusetts’ voters was titled English for the children. In part, it proposed that all students be taught entirely in English. The ballot sounded good to many, after all, who would not want children to learn English? Two-thirds of the state voted for it. Unfortunately, it was a politically motivated ballot that had little to do with research about what works the most successfully for the state’s English Learners. Later, many many voters across the state said that they had no idea what they really voted for when they voted yes on this ballot. It’s an important lesson to us all when we vote. Carefully read ballot questions and the spin about them. Often a no vote means yes and vice versa– we can do better!
