English-Language Learners (ELLs, English-Learners, ELs) are a particularly challenging sector of the student population in United States schools. They constitute an increasingly larger presence in most school districts, growing 51 percent in ten years to 5.1 million in 2006. Despite becoming more common, schools have yet to figure out ways to meet…

The bilingual program implemented in Community School District 32 in Brooklyn, New York, had Spanish and Italian instructional components. The Spanish component served limited English speaking children in grades K-3. The Italian component served 328 Italian dominant children in grades K-9. English dominant students participated as peer models in…

Presents the results of research that investigated three variables as possible causes for different academic achievements of Hispanic students and nonminority students: (1) academic preparation, (2) motivational factors, and (3) social and economic status. Provides suggestions for improving the performance of Hispanic students in mathematics and…

Although research on bilingualism in the schools shows the importance of measuring both English and Spanish language skills regularly, the testing of Spanish falls behind in both quality and frequency. Concerted multidisciplinary cooperation among bilingual educators, linguists, and psychometricians is now needed to produce a variety of valid…

Results of a rational, multiple-choice, cloze Spanish achievement test indicate the validity of such a test to measure achievement. It is suggested that with only minor adaptations, such a test could be used as a way to measure macro- and microprogress with specific materials at any point in a course or program where reading may be tested. (SL)

Notes the difficulty of sorting out the root cause of poor test performance by Spanish-speaking students, and the scarcity of demonstrably effective solutions. Illustrates these difficulties by discussing low English academic engagement by limited-English-proficient students and the challenges of making the transition from native language to…

Bilingual education programs for students who speak little or no English are defended as effective by citing research and evaluation studies. (MH)

Reviews research findings of studies dealing with distance-education programs; describes the results of a distance-learning study implemented with secondary school students learning Spanish; and identifies questions that must be addressed as the foreign-language profession attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of distance learning in current…

Describes a project that uses computer mediated communication in universities in the United States and Mexico to teach minority students effectively. BESTNET (Binational English and Spanish Telecommunications Network) is explained, use for distance education is discussed, computer conferencing and electronic mail are described, and problems of…

This paper argues that the intent of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 and subsequent amendments to improve and equalize educational opportunities for the disadvantaged have been aborted by impotent enforcement and insufficient appropriation of resources. Research findings and highlights from major educational evaluations…

Provides transcript of roundtable discussion about two-way bilingual programs. Discusses the following: (1) reasons for success of programs; (2) spin-off advantages for pupils, schools, and community; and (3) obstacles bilingual education encounter. (PS)

There is no hiding the underlying assumptions of Anglo cultural superiority in our school systems. Educators must come to see things from the points of view of students, recognizing the importance of parent participation, the reality of minority underrepresentation, and the necessity of minority teacher recruitment and retention. (SLD)

The redesign of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has resulted in improved usefulness of the data set to conduct policy relevant research on Hispanic student achievement. Improvements include changing the procedure for ethnic identification to self-reporting, modifying sample selection, and planning for the conduct of special…

An examination of the linguistic behavior of monolingual and bilingual Spanish-speaking children in an environment where there is opportunity to develop proficiency in two languages is examined. A review of the literature concerned with the relationship of learning processes to psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic contexts precedes an examination…

This paper focuses on educational policy issues in Massachusetts of concern to Latinos in areas of retention and achievement, with a goal of recommending policy research. Nationally, Hispanic American students are not served by current educational initiatives. Rather, this group bears the brunt of the dropout rates and low school achievement…