Puerto Rico Language Policy Timeline

1898-1900

Oct 20, 1898

Dr. John Eaton , Ex- Commissioner of Education and Dr. Victor Clark establish that in Puerto Rico teachers should learn English to obtain better opportunities on being hired.

Puerto Rico Language Policy Timeline

Period: Oct 20, 1898 to Oct 20, 2012

This timeline explains the policies of the Department of Education regarding the teaching of English for the past 114 years in Puerto Rico

1900-1902

Oct 20, 1900

The Department of Instruction is created and the educational policy is that Spanish is conserved as a native language and English is taught as a special course.

1902-1904

Oct 20, 1902

English is taught in all the grades and is considered to be made the official language in Puerto Rican schools.

1905-1913

Oct 20, 1905

Spanish is suppressed and English language is used in all grades of the School System.

1913

Oct 20, 1913

Spanish language was used in First grade in courses such as Hygiene, Health, and Reading.

1915

Oct 20, 1915

The use of the Spanish language as the main language and in the judicial processes.

1916-1934

Oct 20, 1916

Spanish taught from First to Fourth grade and English was going to be used from fifth to twelfth grade.

1921-1930

Oct 20, 1921

Lic. Juan B. Huyke emphasized on the use of English inside and outside the classroom to both students and teachers.

1930

Oct 20, 1930

Dr. Jose Padin presented the use of English as a foreign language for educational purposes and use Spanish as a tool for instruction. English was taught as a second language.

1936

Oct 20, 1936

Commissioner Jose M. Gallardo tried to implement Bilingual Programs unsuccessfully.

1942

Oct 20, 1942

Spanish until sixth grade and English was taught as a course.

1948

Oct 20, 1948

Spanish taught until ninth grade.

1949-1950

Oct 20, 1949

Dr. Mariano Villarongo established the use of Spanish at all school levels and English as a course. (Policy that we have nowadays in most schools in Puerto Rico).

1970

Oct 20, 1970

Funds were solicited to address students who return from the United States to Puerto Rico, the Bilingual Education Program.

1972-1976

Oct 20, 1972

Padre Rufo and Papa Juan XXIII Bilingual Projects take place in Puerto Rico.

1978

Oct 20, 1978

The USA Congress authorized that Bilingual Education projects had a better focus on teaching Spanish to returning students.

1984

Oct 20, 1984

The Bilingual Education Program, already established, stops being a program and their projects were transferred to the English Department.

1993

Oct 20, 1993

Projects from Bilingual Education become autonomous.

1997-1998

Oct 20, 1997

Dr. Pedro Rosello, the governor of Puerto Rico established an official act where English and Spanish will be considered the official language of Puerto Rico.

2012

Aug 2, 2012

Begin bilingual education programs, such as: Empowering Children for the 21st Century for Middle level and High Schools and Bilingual Education for the 21st Century for the Elementary level.