A coalition of advocacy groups in California is pushing to include African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in the state’s dual language learner program. By advocating for the inclusion of Black English in schools, the organization BlackECE aims to validate the dialect as a rule-governed language, ensuring early childhood education programs better support Black students and prevent feelings of shame regarding their speech.
Why is the group pushing for this change?
The organization argues that Black children often face pressure to conform to standard English, which can lead to feelings of shame or embarrassment. By incorporating AAVE into the state's educational framework, the group aims to affirm the identity and culture of Black students. They believe that validating this dialect ensures that students feel their voices are valued and their perspectives are heard in the classroom, rather than being constantly corrected.
What is the current California education policy?
California implemented the "Promoting Equitable Early Learning and Care For Dual Language Learners" program in 2020 to promote multilingual proficiency. BlackECE contends that this program currently overlooks Black children who speak AAVE. They advocate for expanding the policy to include this dialect, suggesting that it should be sustained and leveraged as a tool for learning, similar to other languages already recognized by the state's educational framework.
