nized in our educational system and it is believed that the "understanding, the application, the principles, the laws and the structure of ebonics would help African American students (Amended Resolution of the Board of Education, 1997. P. 1)." Ebonics would be used to help learn Standard English. Therefore, ebonics has been studied for the last 15 years due to the State of California recognizing the "unique language stature of descendants of Africans (Amended Resolution of the Board of Education, 1997. P. 1)." As a result, the State of California is trying to mandate an education program that is in the "interest of vindicating their equal protection of the law rights under the 14 Amendment (Amended Resolution of the Board of Education, 1997. P. 2).'' The 14 Amendment states:All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws (Microsoft Bookshelf. 1996-1997).The Oakland school district is trying to pass a program based on ebonics because it is considered that it will benefit African American students in their first language. In addition, the Oakland school district believes that if ebonics is these students first language that would make them bilingual and must receive some form of bilingual education. Under the Bilingual Education Act (1968), confirmed by a Supreme Court decision (1974) and mandating help for students with limited English proficiency, requires instruction in thenative languages of students. (Microsoft Bookshelf. 1996-1997).Oakland's concern is based on the outcome of the standardized test of reading and...
