Grassroots Resistance and Activism to One-Size-Fits-All Policies by Dual-Language Schools en Comunidades Latinas

• In Event: Language Policies and (Trans)Languaging Practices

Abstract

The fiftyfication of dual language (DL) education policy is a gentrification tool where privilege is placed on an equal 50:50 language allocation between the partner language and English. Using narrative analysis, this case study examines the only two DL schools in Utah who use a 90:10 language allocation model. Findings show (a) these schools were persistently pressured in multiple ways to conform to the fiftyfication policy, (b) schools and their Latina/o communities resisted the policy on behalf of students through grassroots language activism and bottom-up resistance, and (c) grassroots actions ultimately resulted in the official revision of the state’s DL policy to be inclusive of multiple language allocation models. However, the privileging of the fiftyfication model remained. Implications are discussed.

Authors

• Juan A. Freire, Brigham Young University

• Garrett Delavan, Georgia State University

• Veronica E. Valdez, University of Utah