A study of four high-performing third-grade Spanish reading programs in Texas found six common features: explicit support for Spanish literacy and biliteracy; high expectations; skills-driven reading instruction beginning in kindergarten; shared understanding of program practices; alignment between Spanish and English programs; and explicit…

This supplementary secondary school program reports on the fourth year of a program focused on instructional intervention, parental involvement, and staff development in a school district with a 46% at-risk student population; more than 630 students were preliterate or limited education Hispanics. In this fourth year, the program continued to…

This study examined learning style differences in samples of the native Spanish-speaking population of the Texas-Mexico border region, focusing on possible culture- and gender-related variation. Subjects were 187 students at six universities in Texas, who were administered a Spanish translated version of the Gregorc Style Delineator. Results…

English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students often finish their language courses without ever having an opportunity to interact with native English speakers or without getting an idea of what the target culture is really like. Interactive videoconferencing can help students gain insight into the target culture when they are using conversational…

Development and validation of the Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT) is described. The TOPT, a simulated oral proficiency interview, was developed in French and Spanish as a test of speech skills to be used by the state as part of its certification testing program for French, Spanish, and bilingual education teachers. An introductory chapter…

A study was conducted (1) to determine the need for vocational training among the limited English speaking (LEP) population in Texas; (2) to determine how many LEP students are being served by vocational programs; (3) to set priorities in the training areas; (4) to assess the need and type of support services required to keep LEP students in…

STATISTICAL DATA OF THE 1950 AND 1960 CENSUSES ENABLES TEXAS MEXICAN-AMERICANS TO BE COMPARED EDUCATIONALLY WITH OTHER GROUPS IN TEXAS, WITH MEXICAN AMERICANS IN OTHER STATES, AND WITH TEXAS MEXICAN AMERICANS OF AN EARLIER DATE. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY, ALL PERSONS OF SPANISH-SURNAME ARE CONSIDERED TO BE MEXICAN AMERICAN. THE PAPER IS…

A study conducted in a rural and an urban county in Texas sought to determine factors affecting changes in occupational patterns taking place in selected Spanish American populations from each of the 2 areas. An attempt was also made to determine levels of living, income, education, and aspirations of parents for their children's futures. The…

The assumptions that high-stakes testing is useful in raising educational standards for all students and that higher standards lead to higher educational performance for all students have not been tested in schools along the Texas border with Mexico. This study analyzed the effects of the high-stakes testing policy on students in a small rural…

This document is the Spanish language version of the student materials component designed to accompany the Economic and Societal Factors Instructional Guide. Page numbers are consistent with the numbering in that guide. The guide's nine units deal with the following topics: (1) job acquisition (sources of employment, job application, completing…

Because of the higher-than-average risk of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes among Hispanics, researchers selected these three health problems as the focus of a "radio novela" intended to increase the health knowledge and awareness of a Hispanic target audience and to stimulate their response to the problems. The replicable health…

The study was undertaken to systematically explore some of the social mechanisms within classrooms that mediate educational effects of schools for Mexican Americans in a metropolitan context. Seventy-two teachers from 9 schools in 3 distinct ecological areas in El Paso, Texas, were asked to complete a questionnaire and the Minnesota Teacher…

This content analysis schedule for Project Catch-Up in Zapata, Texas, presents information on the history, funding, and scope of the project. Included are sociolinguistic process variables such as the native and dominant languages of students and their interaction. Information is provided on staff selection and the linguistic background of project…

This content analysis schedule for the Bilingual Program of Laredo, Texas, presents information on the history, funding, and scope of the project. Included are sociolinguistic process variables such as the native and dominant languages of students and their interaction. Information is provided on staff selection and the linguistic background of…

The present study measures linguistic insecurity among college level heritage language (HL) learners along the Texas-Mexico border. We measured students' self-reported confidence in speaking and writing in English and in Spanish and analyzed students' perception of instruction in both languages. We argue that high levels of linguistic insecurity…