Nearly one-third of Texans who are 5 years and older speak Spanish at home, according to the 2000 census. For children younger than five years old, the percentage is much higher. Naturally, conversational habits used in the home, such as speaking Spanish, continue when in school. Nonetheless, some educators don't like students speaking Spanish in the classroom for an invariable number of reasons. In fact, one middle school principal, Amy Lacey, in Hempstead, Texas, went as far as to tell students that they could not use Spanish in the classroom; which directly led to the principal being suspended with pay.

An investigation was launched after school authorities received complaints about her controversial decision that occurred on Nov. 13, when Principal Lacey broadcasted over the intercom that students were no longer able to speak Spanish in the classroom.

Students wrote to the school district and the superintendent, and both responded with a statement that clarified that neither the school district nor any schools have a policy that forbids the use of Spanish. Of the 300 students who are enrolled in the school, more than half of the school's population is of Hispanic origin, and a great deal of those students speak Spanish. The influx of Spanish-speaking students in Texas school systems reflects the growing number of Spanish-speaking Latinos in Texas. Texas, the second most populous state, has felt a constant increase of Spanish-speakers, which now rests at 27 percent of the population.

The Hempstead school district insists that it actively embraces students of diverse backgrounds who represent a number of cultures. Laurie Bettis, a spokesperson for the Hempstead school district, said "The district is committed to efficiently and effectively resolving this matter with as little disruption to our students and their learning environment as possible."