Annotated Bibliography Draft?

Annotated Bibliography

Olmedo, Irma M. "Blending Borders of Language and Culture: Schooling in La Villita." Journal of Latinos

& Education 8.1 (2009): 22-37. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

This is an academic article from the Journal of Latinos and Education by Irma M. Olmedo that focuses and examines the education of the Chicago Mexican community, La Villita. La Villita along with the Pilsen community is largely composed of Hispanics. Like many communities around the United States La Villita is a victim of the creation of a border from racism and urban segregation in housing and schooling as the article emphasizes. The education system in La Villita relies a lot on the bilingual education program, taking into consideration that a majority of the schools in la Villita are composed of Mexican American students. This specific article examined La Frontera elementary school to see how kids are being taught to blend both their languages and cultures. In order for this to happen as the article states, is not an easy task, there has to be trust and commitment in all parties to ensure the success of the children. As the article suggest, the children are aware of the importance of knowing both languages not only for their own benefit but for their families as well.

                This article definitely brings out the importance of a bilingual education in communities like La Villita and Pilsen. These communities rely immensely on the resources necessary in the education system to make students successful in a society where segregation in schools is common. Based on this study from a Hispanic majority school, the credibility of it is in my opinion high; they have the authority to put their opinion out there. To state the significance of ESL education for communities like Pilsen that requires a higher need of attention for the success of its schools. Where often communities like Pilsen t considered a part of the poorest part of the city, is overlooked when the distribution of resources is done.

Source 2:

Zehr, Mary Ann. "Bilingual Mandate Challenges Chicago's Public Preschools." Education Week 30.13

(2010): 1-19. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

This article is very interesting to look into, as I realize that is puts great importance on how recently Chicago Public Schools will now require that all preschools to offer bilingual education to students. As the article declares by July 2014 all preschool teachers with ELLS in their classrooms must be endorsed with bilingual education or ESL. The article then expresses its concern with the low number of bilingual teachers eligible to begin to endorse this program. With such a limited number of teachers with a bilingual education, the challenge to implement this into the Chicago Public Schools will become twice as hard. But foreseeing the problems to come, Head Start programs and other community organizations have already began to put this order to play, showing that it is possible to begin to offer ESL even at a young age.

The authority held by this article to me is somewhat high, especially due to the many facts that it includes regarding the numbers and regulations for the implementation of this program all throughout the Chicago community schools. It is important to acknowledge that the implementation of ESL at a really young age is beneficial to students who will continue their education in schools like the Pilsen community where bilingual education is essential to succeed. The challenges that the program will run into are minimal, if in the long run it will be the students themselves who will see the results, once they are funneled through the Chicago education system.