How much are we Hispanics willing to integrate in the "melting pot"?

Education has been claimed to be a partnership between parents and educators. I think that is the case here. By providing bilingual education, schools would be acting in a supportive manner. However, equating spanish language as to cultural competency is a severe mistake. Just because they speak the language doesn't mean they feel they are attached to the culture - but if later they want to be it facilitates that process. Imagine if they wanted to visit their parent's homeland and couldn't communicate with their own people? IN addition they will be deprived of their history - eventually no one will remember what the true significance of artifacts might be.

Besides, who's to say English is the proper language? Do you realize the US is going around dollarizing the world? They are also "englishizing" the world. Standards always imply that someone or something is lesser. Like gender specific terms, questions about sexuality, disability bias or picking a language which is the "gold-standard"

As to spanish in college, let me ask you this: do I elect my culture? Some people might look white and be able to pass off. I can act "white" but I don't want to. I am a brown LATINO and proud of my heritage. People will treat me differently - not necessarily racist - but different never the less.

Besides, not everyone's parent in the Latino community had the education to provide their childern. My aunt for example only did half of middle school. How can you ask things of them - such as grammar and literature, which they may have not been exposed to? Besides many have manual/laboral jobs which prevent them from having large amount of time to eduate children about family values - let alone cultural traditions.

It is in the US's interest to make their citizens more educated about the world - not just Latin America - because the US is working with so many other countries in Trade, Travel, Technology Enterprise and Health. Well rounded education is the best. And a well rounded person is aware and in touch with their culture.

Also, sometimes people come here out of need - not choice. Whether it's a natural disaster, persecution or a civil war - it's not fair to ask of them the same as you would of someone who chose to come here out of convenience. It's important to learn the language, but having to learning english implies that their own language is not "good enough". I don't know which is better, but I hope I have cleared up some misconceptions. I am glad you brought up the issue.

Thanks!