Puerto Rico Language Policy Timeline

  • 1898-1900

    1898-1900
    Dr. John Eaton , Ex- Commissioner of Education and Dr. Victor Clark establish that in Puerto Rico teachers should learn English to obtain better opportunities on being hired.
  • Period: to

    Puerto Rico Language Policy Timeline

    This timeline explains the policies of the Department of Education regarding the teaching of English for the past 114 years in Puerto Rico
  • 1900-1902

    1900-1902
    The Department of Instruction is created and the educational policy is that Spanish is conserved as a native language and English is taught as a special course.
  • 1902-1904

    1902-1904
    English is taught in all the grades and is considered to be made the official language in Puerto Rican schools.
  • 1905-1913

    1905-1913
    Spanish is suppressed and English language is used in all grades of the School System.
  • 1913

    1913
    Spanish language was used in First grade in courses such as Hygiene, Health, and Reading.
  • 1915

    1915
    The use of the Spanish language as the main language and in the judicial processes.
  • 1916-1934

    1916-1934
    Spanish taught from First to Fourth grade and English was going to be used from fifth to twelfth grade.
  • 1921-1930

    1921-1930
    Lic. Juan B. Huyke emphasized on the use of English inside and outside the classroom to both students and teachers.
  • 1930

    1930
    Dr. Jose Padin presented the use of English as a foreign language for educational purposes and use Spanish as a tool for instruction. English was taught as a second language.
  • 1936

    1936
    Commissioner Jose M. Gallardo tried to implement Bilingual Programs unsuccessfully.
  • 1942

    1942
    Spanish until sixth grade and English was taught as a course.
  • 1948

    1948
    Spanish taught until ninth grade.
  • 1949-1950

    1949-1950
    Dr. Mariano Villarongo established the use of Spanish at all school levels and English as a course. (Policy that we have nowadays in most schools in Puerto Rico).
  • 1970

    1970
    Funds were solicited to address students who return from the United States to Puerto Rico, the Bilingual Education Program.
  • 1972-1976

    1972-1976
    Padre Rufo and Papa Juan XXIII Bilingual Projects take place in Puerto Rico.
  • 1978

    1978
    The USA Congress authorized that Bilingual Education projects had a better focus on teaching Spanish to returning students.
  • 1984

    1984
    The Bilingual Education Program, already established, stops being a program and their projects were transferred to the English Department.
  • 1993

    1993
    Projects from Bilingual Education become autonomous.
  • 1997-1998

    1997-1998
    Dr. Pedro Rosello, the governor of Puerto Rico established an official act where English and Spanish will be considered the official language of Puerto Rico.
  • 2012

    2012
    Begin bilingual education programs, such as: Empowering Children for the 21st Century for Middle level and High Schools and Bilingual Education for the 21st Century for the Elementary level.