Board unanimously approves blue-ribbon task force to expand multilingual, multicultural education

The San Francisco Unified School District board on Dec. 7 approved a resolution that commits the district to pursue expanded multilingual and multicultural education and authorizes a 21-member Blue Ribbon Task Force of parents, teachers, language experts and civic leaders to prepare an implementation plan by Oct. 1, 2007.

Commissioner Marra, authoring the measure, said the resolution would give the district a long-term framework to make bilingual and multilingual learning options available more broadly. Ling Chi Wang, an education advocate who spoke in favor, told the board that early-language learning is effective: "Children acquire second and even third language more effectively at an early age," he said, urging careful planning with specialists.

Board members debated language models and cost; multiple amendments were adopted to (1) clarify that the district would "make all possible efforts" rather than unconditionally promise universal immersion, (2) preserve the option of beginning language opportunities in kindergarten and earlier, (3) add higher-education representatives to the task force and (4) replace several uses of "bilingual/bicultural" with "multilingual/multicultural." The amended resolution passed unanimously by roll call.

Why it matters: The resolution sets a formal district-level process to study and recommend phased expansion of language programs across the district, including immersion, two-way programs and other approaches. It includes an authorization for the superintendent to seek external funds and language consultants to support the Blue Ribbon Task Force.

Next steps: The superintendent and staff will convene the task force, pursue external funds and bring a proposed plan to the board by Oct. 1, 2007; the Board expects the task force to analyze models, fiscal impacts, equity and program timelines.