Senate backs requiring English competency for graduation

DENVER — High school students would have to show they are competent in English in order to graduate under a measure given initial backing by the Senate Tuesday.

It would be up to each school district to define what competency is and how to measure it. All school districts and charter schools would have to approve a policy by 2012.

Sponsor Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, said he wants to make sure their graduates can perform and be safe on the job and in daily life by speaking and understanding English.

“The public is really yearning for a thoughtful conversation on assimilation, not just immigration,” Romer said.

Romer said English competency isn’t as high a standard as English proficiency, under the definitions of the Colorado Student Assessment Program, the standardized tests given to students each year.

Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, said he wished the bill set a minimum standard for competency. Romer said schools should be given some time to experiment with what works best.