Republican gubernatorial candidate says core classroom instruction should be conducted in English, reviving California’s debate over bilingual education.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton says California public schools should return to English-only classroom instruction, arguing that stronger English proficiency would give students greater academic and economic opportunity.
Hilton made the proposal Sunday, September 27, during an appearance on Fox News’ The Big Weekend Show. “We speak English here,” he said while criticizing statewide literacy results.
Focus on classroom basics
Hilton said students who arrive with limited English could receive language assistance outside regular classroom instruction. He also said California should reverse the bilingual-education flexibility voters approved through Proposition 58 in 2016.
The proposal builds on Hilton’s broader education plan, which calls for phonics-based reading instruction in kindergarten through third grade, public letter grades for schools and greater accountability tied to third-grade literacy and math results.
California’s current results
California Department of Education data show 48.8% of students met or exceeded grade-level standards in English language arts during the 2024–25 school year, up from 47% the previous year. Those assessments measure literacy performance, not conversational English ability.
The state counted 1,009,066 English learners in 2024–25, representing 17.4% of public-school enrollment. Current policy requires English-language-development services while allowing districts to offer bilingual and dual-language programs.
Supporters of English immersion argue it helps students enter mainstream academic instruction more quickly. Advocates for dual-language education say well-designed programs can build English proficiency while preserving biliteracy. Hilton has not yet released detailed language explaining how his proposal would change existing state and federal requirements.
