-
Do you know English? You are hired!
Between the years 1898-1900 Dr. John Eaton, former Commissioner of Education in the United States and his assistant Victor Clark stated that Puerto Rican teachers needed to learn English and those better prepared in that area would have be preferred to be hired. -
Period: to
bilingual
-
Keep Spanish Learn English
Between 1900 and 1902 the education policy in Puerto Rico was to retain the Spanish and acquire English. The elementary grades were going to be taught in Spanish with English as a special subject and in high school all subjects would be in English with Spanish as a special subject. -
Increase the use of English in schools
Between 1902 and 1904 increased the use of English in Puerto Rico schools with the idea of making it the official language of the country's schools. -
English-only Language of Instruction in PR
Between 1905 and 1913 Spanish is eliminated and English is used as the language of instruction at all levels of the school system in the island. -
Spanish in 1st Grade only for Health and Hygiene
In 1913 is introduced the use of Spanish in first grade for some courses like Hygiene and Health. -
Spanish Compulsory in Puerto Rico schools
In 1915 was presented a law project to make Spanish a compulsory language in Puerto Rico schools. -
Spanish-only 1st to 4th and English 50/50 5th up
Between 1916 and 1934 it was established that Spanish would be the language of instruction in grades from first through fourth and that English would be used only in half of the subjects in the fifth grade. -
US Citizenship for PR
In 1917 the First World War breaks out and Puerto Ricans were granted with U.S. citizenship. -
English outside the classroom necesary
In 1921-30 came John B. Huyke as Commissioner of Education. In that moment, greater emphasis was placed to the use of English in education: everyone should use every opportunity to learn English, requires teachers and students were required to use English outside of class, even at meetings or conversations between students and teachers. -
English is a special subject from 1st Grade
The era of 1930 to 1950 was difficult for Puerto Rico from an economic, social and educational standpoint. It was during this period that Spanish was adopted as the language of instruction in geography, history, math and English became a special subject from first grade. -
Roosevelt concern with Puertoricans not learning English well enough
In 1936 Jose M. Gallardo was appointed Commissioner of Education. Meanwhile the President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, complained that Puerto Ricans had not learned English after 38 years of American occupation and wished that all instruction was in English so that the next generation would speak English. -
Classes in Spanish until 6th Grade
In 1942 Spanish prevail until sixth grade and while English continued as a subject. -
Spanish for instruction until 9th Grade
In 1948 the vernacular was used as the medium of instruction until the ninth grade. -
Finally classes in Spanish
In 1949 the Commissioner of Education Mariano Villaronga ended the lengthy discussion of bilingualism decreeing to use the vernacular in teaching at all levels of the public schools from 1949-50 School year. -
Padre Rufo and Pope John XXIII Schools - Bilingual Schools
From 1972 to 1976 in Puerto Rico are implanted under the government of the Popular Democratic Party bilingual projects at Padre Rufo and Pope John XXIII schools. -
US Congress authorize Bilingual Education in PR
Since 1978 the U.S. Congress authorize the bilingual education projects in Puerto Rico to focus into teaching Spanish to those students that came back from the States to our educational system. -
Bilingual Program transfered to the Department of English
In 1984 the bilingual education program was no longer a "program" and its "projects" were transferred to the Department of English. Interestingly, the bilingual education certification signed by Governor Romero Barceló in 1984 has not been fully implemented and teachers who apply have much difficulty in getting it. -
DE ESL Projects
Between 1988 and 1992 four projects were approved for the Department of Education in Puerto Rico two for the Metropolitan University, one for Sacred Heart University in English as a Second Language and two at the University of Turabo. -
Spanish-only Approved
Spanish-Only legislation approved by the Popular Party in April 5, 1991. -
Spanish-Only Revoked
Spanish-Only legislation was revoked and substituted in 1993 for Law Number 1 (January 28, 1993) a Pro Statehood Party language policy which established both English and Spanish as official languages on the island. -
Autonomous Bilingual Education Project
In 1993, bilingual education projects became autonomous and in September of the same year, the Education Secretary Jose Arsenio Torres appointed a director to lead the bilingual program.
