Activists in California are advocating for the state's preschools to formally recognize and incorporate African American English (AAE), also known as African American Vernacular English (AAVE), into the curriculum. The movement, spearheaded by the group Black Californians United for Early Care & Education (BlackECE), aims to combat what they describe as "harmful language hierarchies" by treating AAE as a legitimate, rule-based language on par with other languages.
Dr. Ashley Williams, a co-founder of BlackECE, has spoken about the personal motivation behind the initiative. She described a childhood experience where her home dialect was deemed unacceptable at school, leading to feelings of shame and embarrassment. Williams stated her desire to prevent her own son from experiencing similar feelings, ensuring that his voice and perspective are valued regardless of how he expresses himself.
BlackECE has been training educators to support students who speak AAE in a manner comparable to how dual-language learners are supported. The group utilizes resources such as the Black English Knowledge Brief and webinar series to educate teachers, caregivers, and school leaders about the origins and characteristics of AAE. These resources also offer guidance on creating inclusive classroom environments that affirm children's linguistic backgrounds and identities.
This advocacy follows California's 2020 initiative to expand early dual-language learning and support for bilingual children. BlackECE argues that AAE speakers should be included within the scope of this support. Xigrid Soto-Boykin, director of the Children’s Equity Project at Arizona State University, noted that the current focus on "multilinguals" often overlooks Black children who speak AAE, suggesting that their linguistic backgrounds could be sustained and leveraged for their educational benefit.
Research from the National Library of Medicine in 2020 indicated that approximately 20 percent of U.S. children and 44 percent of California children aged five to 17 are bilingual. Pew Research data from 2023 shows that 96 percent of Black Americans speak English fluently, with about 88 percent speaking only English. The remaining respondents reported using another language at home while also speaking English very well.