Timeline: Puerto Rico Language Policy Timeline

Aug 12, 1898

First Change

Puerto Rico ceded to United States Treaty of Paris. School taught all subjects in English.

Oct 25, 1900

Two years later

Commissoner Brumbaugh (commissioner of education on the island) English was the language of instruction only in secondary school. Spanish was taught as a special subject. In elementary school all classes were taught in Spanish and English was taught as a special subject.
The Department of Public instruction was established.

Oct 25, 1902

English and Spanish Official Languages

The Official Language Act granted official status to both English and Spanish on the island.

Oct 25, 1903

English re-established

English was again re-established as the medium of instruction in all grades.

Jul 25, 1904

Teacher Training

Five hundred and forty teachers were sent to the United States to study in Cornell and Harvard University during the summer of 1904.

Oct 25, 1913

English only

English is used as a medium of instructionin all grades. Spanish was used only in the first grade depending on the courses such as health and hygiene. Reading was recommended to be taught in Spanish.

Oct 25, 1917

Shift in Language Policy

Spanish was reinstated as a medium of instruction for the first four grades. The United States decreed that English was the offical language in Puerto Rico.

Oct 25, 1921

English Ouside the Classroom

Commisionor of Education Juan B. Huyke enfasizes the use of English outside the classroom. All publications and material were written in English.

Oct 25, 1930

Introduction of Language Policy

Commissioner of Education, Jose padin introduced a language policy which required all subject except English to be taught in Spanish in the first eight grades.