Oregon Ballot Measure 58 was an initiated state statute ballot measure sponsored by Bill Sizemore that appeared on the November 4, 2008 general election ballot in Oregon. It was rejected by voters. The initiative would have required "English immersion" in Oregon's public schools. "English immersion" wasn't defined in the measure, and there is no academic consensus as to what it means. Newspaper Endorsements Here is how Oregon's major newspapers endorsed on the measure: No Oregon newspapers have endorsed a yes vote on Measure 58. Specific provisions The measure would limit the use of foreign language instruction in public schools to: 1 year for students in kindergarten to 4th grade. 1.5 years for 5th grade through 8th grade. 2 years for high school students. It would also prohibit ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching programs for longer than the mandated time. Estimated fiscal impact The state's Financial Estimate Committee prepares estimated fiscal impact statements for any ballot measures that will appear on the ballot. The estimate prepared by this committee for Measure 58 says: The measure will require additional local school spending of between $203 and $253 million in each of the first two years, based on considerations of what it would cost to bring students who currently speak a foreign language up to federal standards. The more conservative estimate offered by the Financial Estimate Committee is based on the experience in Arizona with a similar measure. Chief petitioner Bill Sizemore disputed the state's financial estimate, and said the measure would save education money, contending that "these kids will learn English more quickly when they are required to do so.", Supporters Measure 58's chief petitioners are Bill Sizemore, Alan Grosso, and Russ Walker. The Oregon Voters' Pamphlet has arguments in favor from Oregonians For Immigration Reform, the Marion County Republican Party, FreedomWorks, and Sizemore's Oregon Taxpayers United. Arguments for Measure 58 Notable arguments that have been made in favor of Measure 58 include: If the measure passes, it will improve the education of Oregon's immigrant children because it will bring about "specialized, intensive English instruction". Current programs in Oregon to teach English to students who do not speak English as a first language are failing; as evidence, supporters of Measure 58 cite a 2007 Oregon Department of Education study that indicated that only 22 of the state's 129 school districts are meeting minimum standards in this area. Limited English proficiency