ERIC Number: ED217719
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1982
Pages: 17
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
A Theoretical Framework for the Analysis of Bilingual Education Policy Formation.
Padilla, Raymond V.
Negative journalistic opinion on bilingual education has been widespread enough to have formed the context of public opinion within which national policy on bilingual education has been set. It can be surmised that what is propelling the journalistic assault on bilingual education is the particular orientation English monolinguals have adopted toward this activity. Orientation is here used as a description of the composite of attitudes, beliefs, prejudices, and perspectives that influence thinking and behavior. What is proposed is that proponents of bilingual education must develop a well articulated positive orientation toward bilingual education to be counterposed to the negative orientation in the mass media and other arenas. Such an orientation should be based on both ideal and reality principles, and be expressed in the interplay between and among these principles. Ideal principles suggested are: (1) "e pluribus unum"; (2) responsive government which would bring assistance and protection to bilingual communities; and (3) community groundedness, or grounding bilingual policies on the needs of bilingual communities from the perspective of these communities. In addition, several reality principles are suggested. These have to do with history, social status, and political power or powerlessness. (AMH)
Publication Type: Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A