It is not only theorized that immersing and teaching straight English would be the solution, it was actually tested out. Last June, California was the first state to completely do away with bilingual education with Proposition 227. "The proposition mandated that these students take English immersion classes, unless their parents specifically requested that they continue traditional bilingual education programs." (Forbes) The government gave parents the right to allow their children to continue with the slower bilingual programs instead of letting them mainstream into English. Not only were educators against this move, but also President Clinton himself did not condone it. (Samuelson) The results, however, were overwhelming. "Test scores of children from Spanish-speaking families.rose. In second grade, average reading scores of students with limited English ability have jumped in the past two years from the 19th percentile nationally to the 28th percentile. In math, the same !.

             students went from the 27th to the 41st percentile." (Samuelson). With everyone against this new idea of reform for schooling, not only did they succeed, they out-witted 28 and 41 percent of the country. Something must be done right if such numbers jump in such a short amount of time. " 'The kids have taken to English and are absorbing it like sponges"" (Wildavsky). Younger students have more of the want and the need to learn, they don"t become lazy or intolerant of school, something that develops during the teenage years. They have gained a language and a new place and outlook on the world.

             Along with this fast paced English education called immersion, comes along a new identity. Until a person understands and can speak the language of the country, he or she doesn"t really feel like a citizen, or an American. Many immigrants want this education for their sons and daughters, so that they can have a better life in this country knowing English, unlike them.