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1898-1900
Dr. John Eaton and Dr. Victor Clark established that Puerto Rican teachers should learn English to have better chances on being hired. -
1900-1902
On the elementary level classes where taught in Spanish and English was taken as a special course. -
1902-1904
The use of the English language on the public system increased with the idea to make it the official language. -
1905-1913
Spanish is taken out of the system. English is used as the main language to teach at all grades of the school system. -
1913
Spanish was introduced in First grade for the courses of Hygiene, Health, and Reading. -
1915
A bill was presented to make compulsory the use of the Spanish language as the medium of instruction. -
1916-1934
Spanish was established as the medium of instruction from First to 4th grade. English was taught for half of the classes from 5th grade to high school. The other classes where taught in Spanish. -
1921-1930
They established the use of English inside and outside of the classroom. Spanish printed material was prohibited. -
1930-1950
Dr. José Padín was one of the first to present the use if English as foreign language. He fought to implement the use of Spanish as the main language for instruction. English was taught as a second language until it ended up as a special course from First grade up. -
1936
Commissioner José M. Gallardo tried to implement Bilingual Programs unsuccessfully. -
1942
Spanish prevailed on elementary grades and English was taught as a special course. -
1948
Spanish was used as the medium of instruction for elementary and middle school. -
1949-1950
Dr. Mariano Villarongo established the use of Spanish at all school levels and English was taken as a course. (The current school system) -
1970
Funds were solicited to address the needs of the students that return to Puerto Rico from United States. This program was called the “Bilingual Program” -
1978
US Congress authorized the Bilingual Programs in Puerto Rico to focus on teaching Spanish for the students that return to Puerto Rico from the United States. -
1984
The Bilingual Education Program, already established, stops being a program and their projects were transferred to the English Department. -
1993
Projects from Bilingual Education become autonomous once again.