Puerto Rico Language Policy Timeline /Ana Martinez

By amartinez35

  • Teachers needed to learn English

    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

  • 1900-1902 Educational Policy was to retain Spanish and acquire English

    1900-1902 Elementary grades were taught in Spanish and English was a special subject

  • 1902 and 1904 The use of English in Puerto Rico increased

    Schools wanted to make Enlgish the official language of instruction.

  • 1905-1913 Spanish is eliminated and English is official language of instruction

    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.

  • 1913 Spanish was introduced in courses of Hygene and Health

    In the year 1913 the use of Spanish was reintroduced in the courses of hygene and health

  • 1913 A law was presented to make Spanish official school language

    In 1915 a poject law was presented to make Spanish the language method of instruction.

  • 1916-1934 Spanish was used as method of instruction until 4th grade

    From 1916-1934 Spanish was used as method of instruction up to the fourth grade from fith grade on half the classes would be in English.

  • 1917 With World War 1 Puerto Ricans got granted citizenship

  • 1921-1930 Commitioner of Education John B Huyke promoted use of English

    From1921-1930 Commitioner of Educatio John B Hyuke promoted the use on Englinsh education requesting that students and teachers use English all the time at any time.

  • 1930 -1950 Puerto Rico Economical Crisis brought the Spanish as the method of instruction

    The 1930 -1950 Econmical Crisis brought back Spanish as the language of instructions. English was now a special subject beginning in first grade.

  • 1936 Pres.FD Roosvelt complained Puerto Ricans had not learned English

    1936 President Franklin Delano Rooesvelt complained that after 38 years of American ocupation the puerto ricans had not learned English.

  • In 1942 Spanish prevail until sixth grade English was special course

    In 1942 Spanish prevail until sixth grade and while English continued as a subject.

  • Spanish was used as language of instruction until 9th grade

  • Spanish was now method of instruction for all levels.

    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

  • PPD implanted Bilingual projects by Padre Rufo and Pope John

    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.

  • Congres authorized projects focus on teaching bilingual educ

    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 programs were now called projects

    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 was signed by Governor Romero Barceló.

  • Spanish Only legislation Approved

    Spanish-Only legislation approved by the Popular Party.

  • 1998-1992 Department of Education Approved bilingual projects

    Department of Education approved bilingual projects in ESL to the Metropolitan University, Sacred Heart University and University of Turabo

  • English and Spanish established as the official languages of PR

    With the creation of Law 1 in 1993 the Pro Statehood Political Party revoked the Spanish only legislation and establish English and Spanish as official languages of PR.

  • Bilingual Education Projects became autonomous

    Education Secretary Jose Arsenio Torres appointed a director to lead the bilingual program, which were now autonomous.