To: The Arizona State House, The Arizona State Senate, Governor Doug Ducey, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Save Native culture, advocate for success: bilingual education in Arizona Public schools
Sign this petition to help incorporate bilingual education in Arizona public schools. Be a contributor to success, achievement and education!
Why is this important?
As an essential component of culture, language functions as a vital facet of the Native American identity. The preservation and sustenance of indigenous languages is integral in ensuring the continued conservation of Native cultural sovereignty.
Originally, 300+ Native languages were spoken throughout the United States: 75 of these have disappeared since European contact. UNESCO estimates that in the next decade, if swift action is not taken, approximately 74 more Native languages will disappear. In response to this issue, the federal government has been attempting to preserve Native languages before they disappear entirely. Implementing Native languages in the form of bilingual education programs into public schools will not only revitalize these dying languages, but these programs will improve student achievement as well.
The state of education for Native students in Arizona is incredibly bleak. Native students make up 7% of the student body in Arizona public schools. However, this group of students is 117% more likely to drop out of school than their white counterparts. In order to improve student achievement for Native students, and for Arizona students overall, we urge state officials to implement bilingual education programs into public schools. Through these bilingual education programs, Native students are motivated to stay in school and renew their cultural identity.
Help us preserve Native languages, and foster an empowering system of education!
Originally, 300+ Native languages were spoken throughout the United States: 75 of these have disappeared since European contact. UNESCO estimates that in the next decade, if swift action is not taken, approximately 74 more Native languages will disappear. In response to this issue, the federal government has been attempting to preserve Native languages before they disappear entirely. Implementing Native languages in the form of bilingual education programs into public schools will not only revitalize these dying languages, but these programs will improve student achievement as well.
The state of education for Native students in Arizona is incredibly bleak. Native students make up 7% of the student body in Arizona public schools. However, this group of students is 117% more likely to drop out of school than their white counterparts. In order to improve student achievement for Native students, and for Arizona students overall, we urge state officials to implement bilingual education programs into public schools. Through these bilingual education programs, Native students are motivated to stay in school and renew their cultural identity.
Help us preserve Native languages, and foster an empowering system of education!