Inside Mesa

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Decisions about HB2008 will effect accessing funds for ELL (English Language Learners). Reviewed soon, it is reportedly the same bill the Governor vetoed last year. AZBLE has weighed in on the issue. Arizona Bilinqual Education find it is badly written and will prevent getting the most out of ELL funding. That would be a tragic outcome and a hinderance for many eager to learn, help themselves, and improve economic resources. It’s time to address the issue now, as the Governor will be deciding how she will handle it shortly! Allowing it to pass as is, is not a good option, it is not in compliance as a court ruled in 1992, in Flores vs State of Arizona. I learned from a 3rd grade teacher a tragic situation in her classroom. A student’s family had just arrived from Mexico, all Spanish speaking. The student was placed in her class with no English vocabulary. I asked how she was able to learn. It was through another student who spoke English and Spanish, sitting next to her in class, helping when she could. I remember asking, "how in the world can she learn in that environment’? Of course it was very limited, a struggling situation that must have fostered a lack of self esteem. My friend asked me if I knew anyone that could come in the classroom and volunteer time to help her student. I was able to direct her to a person that could provide a language resource within the school system. I give my friend a lot of credit for trying to resolve this delimma, it also gave me a better perspective of how children and families are affected…it lasts a lifetime. Appropriately funded programs like English Language Learners can effect generations. It seems there has always been a struggle to acquire more funds toward education, appearing not to be a priority. Yet we say education is the number one value that determines our quality of life and ability to make good life decisions. Too often, we also ignore the needs of those around us, critical needs that help us communicate, learn, and develop skills; not realizing the positive outcomes that would give back to our community, outcomes we all would enjoy. A good example of how ELL could make a difference in found in a recent Tribune article about the rise of healthcare costs for Hispanics while other diverse cultures went down. The reason given was the language barrier which makes a lot of sense. A lack of knowledge or inability to communicate one’s medical problems or symptoms can lead to improper health care that could later lead to a hospital visit creating large medical costs. The article also stated many went without health insurance which drives up insurance costs across the board for everyone. It would be more cost effective, better for children and their families to teach children early on by implementing ELL in our schools adequately. It’s a known fact, we are a growing state with an increasing Hispanic population, and a state that borders Mexico.

I am so glad to learn ASU President Michael Crow is talking to Google about the very thing they want, the very thing we have!ASU Polytechnic is one of the hot topics when it comes to technology, when it comes to being close to a prime educational institution - where students are learning and graduating the workforce they need. It will also supply Google employees with an educational source for those that want to continue their education in technology.Hey Google! Mesa has a lot to offer: affordable housing, executive housing, excellent schools and higher education sources including Mesa Community College and a downtown project, Red Mountain CC, A.T.Still University of Health Sciences, which includes School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Osteopathic, Health Sciences, Health Management. We are a family friendly, safety conscious community. A city that continues to grow and attract people, new business, and in the center of a valley of cities with connecting freeways and Williams Gateway Airport.Google, there’s so much to find, so much to like…. it’s worth a look, have conversations with Mayor Hawker, City Manager Chris Brady, Councilmembers, Chamber President Charlie Deaton, other city officials, a visit to ASU Polytechnic with Dr. Jerald Jakubowski, Provost, and Dr. David Schwalm, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. They can accurately provide the answers to questions regarding your business needs.