UnidosUS Applauds Efforts to Rollback Arizona’s English-Only Policy

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WASHINGTON, DC—UnidosUS (formerly NCLR) commends Arizona’s House Education Committee today on the passage of HCR 2026, which would give Arizona voters the opportunity to repeal the state’s English-only instruction law. Last night’s unanimous vote is an important step forward for English Learners (ELs) who, under the mandate, are subject to a restrictive approach to attain English-language proficiency.

The Structured English Immersion (SEI) model has been widely criticized for its rigid approach for teaching ELs, including pulling ELs away from their core subject areas and separating them from other students for nearly half of their school day. Additionally, a growing body of research has pointed to the negative effects of SEI when it comes to meaningful English language acquisition.

“The academic success of EL students should be paramount for lawmakers and education leaders alike. As one of the fastest growing segments of our school-aged population, it is necessary that our public schools—in Arizona and across the country—invest in systems and policies that better serve ELs and their path to college and career success,” said Amalia Chamorro, Associate Director of UnidosUS’s Education Policy Project.

“We thank Representatives John Fillmore and Michelle Udall for their leadership in ushering this bill forward and advancing policies that support the achievement of all students,” concluded Chamorro.