HB 108 looking to even the playing field

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – As the Kentucky legislature reconvenes this year, they will be mostly tackling the budget, but still trying to get some bills signed into law.

News 40 spoke to State Representative Kevin Jackson about his outlook on the upcoming session ahead of a busy legislative session, about some things he’s looking forward to. With hundreds of bills up for review, we spoke about some that Jackson has sponsored.

The most impactful one that Jackson is looking forward to is HB 108, concerning ESL students. ESL students are students who’s first language is not English, meaning that they would obviously struggle in the American classroom. Jackson, a former educator, is passionate about anything concerning schools and students, so this is something high on his list of things to achieve.

Jackson said the first year that ESL students are in school, they get a pass on the usual testing that all students in grade school dread, but after that first year, they are tested just like everyone else. Jackson said he doesn’t believe that’s fair to anyone involved.

The representative said to News 40 that it’s a sad case for all involved because it brings down test scores which ultimately hurts the school system and those individual students. According to Jackson, Bowling Green Independent School District and Warren County School District are 23.5% and 20% ESL respectively, and Jackson believes this could be a problem for the rest of the state’s school systems as more immigrants move to Kentucky.