California to decide future of bilingual education

California voters are deciding whether to repeal a nearly two-decade-old law limiting bilingual education.

Proposition 58 would undo a 1998 measure requiring schools use English immersion for students who are not fluent in the language.

Proponents say the measure would help grow so-called dual language immersion programs that mix English speakers and learners in the classroom and teach both groups two languages. The programs have been popular with parents who believe it will help their children compete globally for jobs.

Opponents want to keep English immersion for California’s 1.4 million English learners, saying they’ve fared better since the change.