An examination of the effectiveness of programs for limited-English proficient (LEP) students in the Austin Independent School District (AISD) derived information on LEP student counts, programs and services for LEP students, program costs, and LEP student achievement. Information indicated that the count of LEP students was growing (3,042 in…

This study focuses on the characteristics of discourse between Latino immigrant children and their teacher during science instruction. Peer interaction was analyzed to identify the use and importance of the native language (L1) for the development of content knowledge during group collaboration. In addition, the interaction between teacher and…

Describes a newly implemented dual language immersion program that exists and operates in Phoenix, Arizona. Examines the practices of dual language teachers at an elementary school and reviews the challenges teachers in six classrooms met. (SLD)

Preservice teachers from a Hispanic-serving university and Latino families reflected on their interactions during an after-school children's tutoring program conducted at an elementary school. This paper focuses on issues that both preservice teachers and families found important to communication and relationship building. These issues were…

Research shows that schools must initiate and promote limited-English-speaking parent participation. The Hispanic Policy Development Project, which studied 42 parent involvement programs, documented the importance of teacher and administrator training, bilingual staff, translated written communications, parent advisory committees, parent-teacher…

The Bilingual Vocational Instructor Training (BVIT) project at California State University at Long Beach was established to teach instructors to communicate with limited English speakers in specialized skill areas. An evaluation of the program was conducted after its third year of operation to assess the placement of graduates and the…

This report evaluates the bilingual-bicultural program in a New York City School District where more than half the 20,000 school children are of Asian (mostly Chinese-American) or Hispanic background. The goal of the program was to provide for the linguistic and academic needs of these children and to capitalize on their native language…

The role of language alternation, or code-switching, in the bilingual classroom can be used as a teaching and learning strategy. Code-switching is simply a recognition of the fact that more than one language can define events and persons. Not all forms of code-switching are regarded as acceptable in the bilingual classroom. Language alternation in…

This Staff Development Program is the first attempt to provide thematic, in-service workshops to large numbers of early childhood bilingual teachers throughout New York City. The main themes were: curricula, reading readiness and reading instruction, second language instruction through content areas, and instructional skills and strategies for…

A review of practical language and methodological activities in both Spanish and English to develop balanced bilingual proficiency in bilingual education teachers is geared toward college professors and teacher trainers. Suggested practical applications for developing language arts skills include all four language skills: listening, speaking,…

Hiring increasing numbers of paraeducators can provide additional learning support and a linguistic/cultural link to the community. However, such personnel may have frenetic schedules, responsibilities divided among several schools, and inadequate supervision and communication links. Recommendations for principals, teachers, and bilingual…

Comparing data from two ethnographic studies of bilingual teachers and their students in the United States, the authors present a cross-case analysis that illuminates how issues of language are inextricably linked with issues of race, class, and socioeconomic status. The authors show how portraits of teachers' practice help to examine some of the…

This study examines how socially conscious bilingual Latino educators, specifically prepared to teach underserved children, resist multiple layers of hegemonic structures. The participants are five beginning Spanish bilingual teachers who teach in urban and semi-rural elementary schools. The study explores how their resistance unfolds as they…

Given the unique character of bilingual students and the programmes that support them, primary bilingual teaching is a challenging job in any country. However, bilingual teachers in developing contexts are especially challenged; they are often undertrained and underpaid, and must function in under-resourced schools with undernourished students.…

Nationwide and statewide shifts and ambiguity in language education policy have created substantial instability for teachers. Through a cross-case study and analysis of bilingual teachers in two states, this article shows how these teachers participate in responding to and making decisions regarding language policy. This article shows how and why…