In compliance with Texas state law, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) provides two programs to serve students identified as limited English proficient (LEP): Bilingual Education (BE) with dual language instruction and English as Second Language (ESL) intensive English instruction. ESL is both a component of BE and a stand-alone program. The program in which a student participates depends on a number of student characteristics. In 1996-97, the AISD enrolled 11,500 LEP students, 92% of whom were Spanish speakers, and 3% of whom spoke Vietnamese. In 1992-93, LEP students were 10% of the district's enrollment; in 1996-97, they represented 15.2%. Compared to students district-wide, exited LEP students were retained less often, earned higher grade point averages, and had higher school leaver rates. The achievement of former LEP students generally surpasses AISD averages on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills. However, the achievement of LEP students in the programs is generally below that of state and national comparisons, and the achievement of AISD LEP students is generally lower than that of LEP students statewide. These facts reinforce evaluation recommendations for additional support for BE and ESL programs and continued staff development. Because students who complete BE and ESL programs are usually more successful in school than LEP students who do not participate, efforts should be made to serve the 14% of LEP students whose parents refuse program services. Appendixes give the text of the pertinent state law, a list of program staff development efforts, and evaluation reports for the individual schools involved. (Contains 38 tables, 3 figures, and 3 references.) (SLD)