An independent archive

Proposition 58 (2016): what it did, how it passed, and what came next

On November 8, 2016, California voters approved Proposition 58 by nearly three to one. It undid the English-only instruction mandate of 1998's Proposition 227 and reopened the door to bilingual and dual-language education in the state's public schools. This site keeps that story in one place: the measure, the campaign, the result, and what has happened since.

The short version

• Before: Since 1998, Proposition 227 required that English learners be taught "overwhelmingly in English" through a short structured English immersion program, and made bilingual classes hard to offer.^[6]
• The change: Prop 58, the California Multilingual Education Act, kept the requirement that all students become proficient in English, but let school districts choose their instructional methods after seeking parent and community input.^[1]
• The vote: 73.52% Yes to 26.48% No, with 75.27% turnout of registered voters.^[2]
• Since then: dual-language programs have grown and the state set ambitious multilingual goals, but progress is now limited by a shortage of bilingual teachers and by funding.^[3]

Explore

• The measureWhat Prop 58 changed in the law, in plain language.
• The 2016 campaignThe "LEARN" message, the coalition and the arguments on both sides.
• ResultsThe official numbers, and how they compare to 1998.
• Impact since 2016Dual-language growth, the Seal of Biliteracy and where progress has slowed.
• Looking aheadGlobal California 2030, the teacher gap and what to watch.
• SourcesWhere every figure comes from.