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History of Bilingual Education in Puerto Rico

By Suny77
  • Department of Public Institution

    The Department of Public Institution is created leaded by a comissioner between 1900-1902. The public policy was that Spanish will be taught as also English. Spanish in elementary levels and English as a special subject.
  • Bilingual Education in PR 1902-1904

    English is reinforced with the purpose of stablish it as the main language in Puerto Rico.
  • Spanish is Suppressed

    Spanish is suppressed. English is used to teach in every grade of the school system.
  • Spanish Returns

    Spanish is introduced once again. In first grade classes like hygene, health and reading were taught in Spanish.
  • Spanish as the Mother Language

    A new project is introduced to make Spanish the main language to teach. It was recommended to use Spanish in legal jurisdictions.
  • Spanish as the Official Language

    Between 1916-1934 Spanish is stablished as the mean of teaching in the grades from first to fourth and English to be used in half of the classes in fifth grade. From sixth grade until eighth grade (and secondary schools) half of the classes were given in Spanish and half in English.
  • Dissapointment of the US President

    After the resignation of Dr.Padin, the commissioner Jose M. Gallardo takes charge.The US president Franklin D. Roosevelt was concerned that in thirty-eight years of English instruction in Puerto Rico and the puertorricans didn't master the English language. He wanted all instruction in English and the next generation to be English speakers.
  • Spanish Stills as the Main Language

    Spanish stills as the main language until sixth and English as a secondary subject.
  • Spanish

    In 1948 the vernacular was used as a tool to teach until nineth grade.
  • Bilingual Education

    In 1949 the commissioner of instruction Dr. Mariano Villaronga finishes the debate about bilinguism stating that Spanish (vernacular language) will be taught in all levels in public schools beginning in 1949-1950
  • Bilingual Education

    The Department of Education and universities asked for federal funds to help with the needs of students that arrived from the US. This program is later called "Bilingual Education."
  • Bilingual Education Today

    US Congress authorized all bilingual projects to have a focus in teaching Spanish for the proper functioning of the students in Puerto Rico.
  • Bilingual Education in PR

    John Eaton, ex-comisionary of Education in USA and his helper Dr. Victor Clark stablish that the teachers in Puerto Rico needed to learn English and those that were prepared will have preference to be employed.
  • Puerto Rico Today

    Governor Luis Fontuno starts a bilingual program in Puerto Rico and assures that Puerto Rico will be fully bilingual by 2022. This program includes only Kindergarden through second grade, in which half of the subjects will be taught in Spanish and half in English.