For Immediate Release: April 20, 1998

Latest Poll Results:
Voters Would Oppose Prop. 227 If They Knew Its Details

That's the headline the Los Angeles Times should have used to describe its April 13 opinion poll. Instead, the front-page story simply informed us: "Bilingual Education Ban Widely Supported." That is, Proposition 227 maintains a big lead – 63% to 24% – among California's registered voters, who will decide the issue on June 2.

The fine print was more interesting. It turns out that, when initially polled, only 33% of respondents had already decided to vote for the anti-bilingual measure and 12% to vote against. The other 55% made up their minds after listening to the official ballot summary, which stresses the initiative's provisions for intensive English instruction, but leaves out other key details.

Respondents were not told that approving Proposition 227 would eliminate local discretion over how to teach children who are limited in English – recently endorsed by the State Board of Education – and impose a state-mandated curriculum. Yet the Times found that 52% of registered voters believed that "local school districts should have more flexibility to choose the method they think is best to teach students with limited English skills." Only 40% of the sample supported "one uniform standard."

Nor were they told that Proposition 227 would outlaw bilingual education throughout the state and make teachers liable for financial damages if they used any language but English to assist a child. Yet 64% believed some use should be made of students' native language for instruction – that is, nearly two-thirds of registered voters favored bilingual education. Just 32% favored English-only instruction, the one-size-fits-all approach that Proposition 227 would impose.

Why, then, are Californians leaning toward approval of Proposition 227? Not because it would usurp the power of local school boards to determine how English learners should be taught. And not because it would dismantle successful bilingual education programs. Clearly, they remain unaware of these details.

Instead, 66% gave this reason for supporting the initiative: "If you live in America you need to speak English." That also happens to be the premise of bilingual education, which researchers and practitioners regard as a superior way to learn English. But voters wouldn't know this by reading most of the press coverage of the Proposition 227 debate.

So we would also suggest a subheadline for the Times story: "News Media Doing a Poor Job in Explaining Anti-Bilingual Initiative."

Detailed information on the Los Angeles Times Poll can be found on the World Wide Web at: http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/POLLS/