Tuition-Free
Classes to Learn English Being Questioned at COD
Member institutions of
DuPage United are concerned about significant revisions
to the college’s tuition-free English as a Second
Language (ESL) classes. At our delegate assembly in
2008 concerns were raised about the possibility of ESL
Level 7 classes being eliminated. The concerns were
justified. In the spring of 2009, classes that affected
as many as 450 students were eliminated.
Now we find that further changes that will reduce
accessibility and availability are expected, with as
many as 36 ESL classes being eliminated next spring,
including fully-enrolled 4-day intensive on-campus
sections. The rationale being used is that the overall
adult education program costs more to run than it
receives in state and federal grant money. This implies
that no local money should be used to support a growing
local need.
This is a critical issue, and it gets to the heart of
what a community college is supposed to be about. ESL
classes are especially important in the DuPage County
area, where as many as 150,000 residents could benefit
from English language classes. The demographics of our
area have been shifting significantly and will continue
to do so.
Many lower-income refugees and immigrants are
relocating here. Demand for tuition-free English
language classes is growing, with current enrollment in
ESL classes already over 3,200 students per semester.
We need more classes, not fewer. Employers, police and
fire departments, medical personnel, and educators all
know that competency in English is critical for our
economy, public safety, public health, and education.
DuPage United supports using a portion of the local
taxes collected by COD to sustain and enlarge this
needed local resource. DuPage United will continue to
research the use, cost, revenues, and benefits of the
ESL program at COD.
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