Puerto Rico: Language Policy Timeline

Spanish -American War

Oct 25, 1898

1898: The United States took control of Puerto Rico from Spain at the end of the Spanish-American War. First steps to Bilingual Education

Department of Instruction

Oct 25, 1900

1900: Department of Instruction is created with an assigned Commissioner.

to 1948: all high school subjects were taught in English....

Oct 25, 1900

1900 to 1948: All high school subjects were taught in English, until the island's first democratically elected governor.

1904: Official language Act ......

Oct 25, 1902

1902-1904: Official language Act granted Status to both Spanish and English Languages. English becomes popular and used with more frequency in school.

1913: Reestablish English as .........

Oct 25, 1905

1905-1913: Reestablish English as a mean of instruction in all grades.

Spanish ....................

Oct 25, 1915

1915: Spanish is considered primary language.

World War I

Oct 25, 1917

1917: The U.S. had decreed that English was the official language on the Spanish-speaking Island. (World War I)

Johns Act

Oct 25, 1917

1917: Johns Act, American Citizenship for Puerto Rico, Spanish was established for the 1st to 4th grades.

Commissioner of Education Juan B Huyke.......

Oct 25, 1921

1921: Commissioner of Education Juan B Huyke prohibits the Spanish language

Recession Dr. Jose Padin ......

Oct 25, 1930

1930: Recession Dr. Jose Padin initiates the imposition of Spanish in schools and English as a foreign language.

When Blanton S. Winthrop was ............

Oct 25, 1934

1934: When Blanton S. Winthrop was named governor the language policy shifted again toward assimilation.

Commissioner of Education Jose M. Gallardo...

Oct 25, 1936

1936: Commissioner of Education Jose M. Gallardo introduces the Bilingual Program under public protest.

Winthrop’s policy was modified.........

Oct 25, 1941

1941; Winthrop’s policy was modified, English as language of instruction was establish in secondary Schools.

Luis Muñoz Marin........

Oct 25, 1948

1948: Luis Muñoz Marin, first Governor elected by Puerto Ricans established Spanish as the language of instruction of all grades. Dr. Mariano Villaronga puts to an end the bilingual debate orders Spanish in all levels.

Dr. Mariano Villaronga puts.......

Oct 26, 1949

1949: Dr. Mariano Villaronga puts to an end the bilingual debate orders Spanish in all levels.

US Congress authorizes projects for Bilingual .........

Oct 25, 1970

1970: US Congress authorizes projects for Bilingual Programs in Puerto Rico.

Under administration of Carlos Romero Barceló.........

Oct 25, 1980

1980: Under administration of Carlos Romero Barceló the Bilingual Program is considered a project.

Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon ....

Oct 25, 1991

1991: Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon declared Spanish the island's sole official language (Spanish Only). Also Project Success and Project CEMI strengthen language arts skills in Spanish and English.

Secretary of Education Jose Arsenio Torres ......

Oct 25, 1993

1993: Secretary of Education Jose Arsenio Torres makes the Bilingual Education autonomous. Law Number I a Pro Statehood Party language policy.

While the statehood party was in power.........

Oct 25, 1997

1997: While the statehood party was in power, English immersion programs also made their way into Puerto Rican schools, under the Project to Create a Bilingual Citizen.

Governor Pedro Rosselló establishes .......

Oct 25, 1998

1998: Governor Pedro Rosselló establishes Spanish and English as official languages.

Bilingual Generation Programs .........

Oct 25, 2012

2012: Bilingual Generation Programs that empowers children for the 21st century, offering improvement for student in Puerto Rico.