Puerto Rico Language Policy Timeline

First Change

Aug 12, 1898

Puerto Rico ceded to United States Treaty of Paris. School taught all subjects in English.

Two years later

Oct 25, 1900

Commissoner Brumbaugh (commissioner of education on the island) English was the language of instruction only in secondary school. Spanish was taught as a special subject. In elementary school all classes were taught in Spanish and English was taught as a special subject.
The Department of Public instruction was established.

English and Spanish Official Languages

Oct 25, 1902

The Official Language Act granted official status to both English and Spanish on the island.

English re-established

Oct 25, 1903

English was again re-established as the medium of instruction in all grades.

Teacher Training

Jul 25, 1904

Five hundred and forty teachers were sent to the United States to study in Cornell and Harvard University during the summer of 1904.

English only

Oct 25, 1913

English is used as a medium of instructionin all grades. Spanish was used only in the first grade depending on the courses such as health and hygiene. Reading was recommended to be taught in Spanish.

Shift in Language Policy

Oct 25, 1917

Spanish was reinstated as a medium of instruction for the first four grades. The United States decreed that English was the offical language in Puerto Rico.

English Ouside the Classroom

Oct 25, 1921

Commisionor of Education Juan B. Huyke enfasizes the use of English outside the classroom. All publications and material were written in English.

Introduction of Language Policy

Oct 25, 1930

Commissioner of Education, Jose padin introduced a language policy which required all subject except English to be taught in Spanish in the first eight grades.

Language Policy Shifted

Oct 25, 1934

Language policy shifted toward assimilation. Governor Blantopn S. Winthorp made English the language of instruction in all grades.

Policy Modified

Oct 25, 1941

Winthorps policy was modified and English was re-established in secondary schools.

Spanish Language for Instruction

Oct 25, 1948

Governor Luis Munoz Marin established Spanish as the language of instruction in all grades. Englsih taugh one period a day as a second language.

Spanish Only

Apr 5, 1991

The Spanish Only Law #4 by the Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon from the Popular Party making Spanish the only official language in Puerto Rico.

Law # 1

Jan 28, 1993

Establishes both English and Spanish as official languages of Puerto Rico.

Bilingual Citizens

Oct 25, 1997

English Emergent programs established: Project to create " Bilingual Citizens".

Bilingual Schools

Oct 25, 2012

The Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuno proposes bilingual projects (BEC21) to take place in all public school in Puerto Rico.