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Elementary in Spanish vs High School in English
1900-1902
All closes in Elementary School were spouse to be in Spanish.
All classes in High School were supposed to be in English. -
English Official Language
1902-1904- The government wanted English to be the official language. -
Prohibition
1905- 1913- Spanish was not used in schools. -
1905- 1913- Hard Times
If teachers did not pass the “Annual English Test” they could not be hired again by the Department the next year. -
Changes through time
1915- Spanish was mandatory as the medium of teaching. -
A Combined Curriculum
1916-1934-Half of the classes were in English the other half in Spanish. -
Huyke- English taking over the schools
1921-1930- The Secretary of Education wanted English to be sued on the daily basis including teachers meetings. -
Jose Padin- Secretary of the Department of Education
1930- Jose Padin wanted Spanish to be used in schools. He stated that, “English is foreign language, and it is a second language.” -
Gallardo - Secretary of the Department of Education
He tried to implement a bilingual program, but several protests did not let him. -
So many changes, in so little time
1942- Spanish was taught until 6th grade then 7-12 in English. -
More changes in the Bilingual Education
Spanish was taught until 9th grade, then English was taught from 10-12 th grade. -
Spanish all the way
The new Secretary of Education Dr. Mariano Villaronga he stated that all clases should be in Spanish and will be taught from 1- 12 grade. -
The Bilingual Project
1980- 1984- Governor Carlos Romero Barceló changed the programs to Bilingual Projects. Also he started the the Bilingual Certifications -
First New Projects
1989-
The government sends teachers to study English in the U.S.
The most important requirement to be a teacher was to speak English. -
Only Spanish
1991- Governor Rafael Colon made Spanish the official language in Puerto Rico. -
Two Languages
Governor Pedro Rosello made English and Spanish official. -
First steps on getting bilingual teachers
1898-1990- All teachers should know English. -
The Present Time looks Bilingual
The Schools for the 21 Centuries are implementing bilingual curriculums and there is one in almost all cities in P.R. Puerto Rico aims to become fully bilingual by 2022. Teachers are earning their Bilingual Certifications.