“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” – Edmund Burke
During a class discussion about a book we were reading, a student asked me about discrimination. Does discrimination still occur? Her face fell when I told her it still does. I did not go into detail, but I know from experience that discrimination occurs everywhere. It is built into the fabric of American society and it continues today. In fact, since discrimination has been embedded into the very cultural fabric of our lives it often goes unnoticed, ignored or denied. This is certainly the case when it comes to Temecula Valley Unified School District’s treatment of English Language Learners.
Last month, several complaints were filed against TVUSD employees who coordinate English Learner Services. One complaint alleged that District Personnel were not running the District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC) correctly. One of the main problems according to a TVUSD teacher that wished to remain anonymous was that DELAC was “neither a committee nor was it advising anyone. It was essentially a bunch of administrators doing whatever they thought was best.”
Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
When asked specifically who the committee was supposed to be advising, the Categorical Coordinator who oversees English Learners answered, “Well it’s not really supposed to advise anyone but rather give suggestions.”
After independently investigating the complaint, it was discovered that elections had never occurred, nor was the board being advised on issues relating to English Language Services (both of which are required by law). District personnel ran the committee incorrectly for over two years. “There were no elections and no officers… they just did whatever they wanted until we called them out on it,” says a parent of an English Learner.
Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In an effort to save face TVUSD quickly acted upon the complaint and has just completed their first DELAC election. “We finally elected officers, but it wasn’t easy. The coordinator refused to count the votes,” stated a teacher who was present. In fact, according to eyewitnesses, members of the DELAC had to prevent her from trying to leave the meeting with the ballots un-counted.
“I’m not sure what they are up to, but it was the oddest thing I have ever seen. She (referring to a district employee) tried to adjourn the meeting without counting the votes. Odd, very odd,” stated a teacher from TVUSD.
Discrimination against English Learners does not end with failing to run meetings that benefit English Learners correctly. In fact the Temecula Valley Unified School district is under investigation for failing to provide adequate services to English Language Learners at Bella Vista Middle School during the 2013-2014 school year. According to sources, “Bella Vista Middle School currently provides no English Language Learner services.”
Sources say their services were cancelled as relationships between the English Language Development Teacher and the principal deteriorated. “It happens all the time here,” states a TVUSD Teacher. “A teacher complains, or stands up for the kids and they get moved to another classroom or they get forced to teach something they dislike. One teacher was forced to move 5 times in one year!”
In addition, the current Local Control Accountability Plan, which aims to address the needs of English Learners is under review because some members of DELAC believe it violates Educational Code. Under the current plan, there is no differentiated instruction to address English Language proficiency levels being offered to English Language Learners. The plan does not even address differentiation. This is required by the state and is not included in the current plan. In addition, the current plan aims to take struggling students, English Learners, at-risk students, and any other low performing student and “dump” them into a classroom. If the LCAP is approved English Language services will be reduced by up to 65%.
Another area of concern is the loss of programs to help English Learners and the elimination of 6 Middle School English Language Development Positions. These 6 teachers have been crucial advocates for English Language Learners. Yet, under the current plan these teachers that have spoken up for the rights of English Learners would be eliminated. “It is very common for retaliation to occur when you stand up for the rights of those who can not advocate for themselves,” states a TVUSD Teacher who wishes to remain anonymous.
We are currently faced with the choice between providing education opportunities to all our children in our community, or continuing the vicious and destructive cycle of discrimination. As Edmond Burke once wrote, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” I urge you to do something. This is our time, our world and our schools. Tell TVUSD what you think by emailing the governing board.
Yes, even today, discrimination runs rampant within TVUSD.
Vinect O’Neal voneal@tvusd.k12.ca.us
Allen Pulishper apulsipher@tvusd.k12.ca.us
Richard Shafer rshafer@tvusd.k12.ca.us
Robert Brown bbrown@tvusd.k12.ca.us
Kristi Rutz- Robbins rutz-robbins@tvusd.k12.ca.us
