Makes a case for bilingual education by citing program and research results and by comparing bilingual programs with English as a second language programs. Suggests why some bilingual programs are less successful and notes the importance of principals for educational programs. (JM)

English-speaking pupils, who had participated since kindergarten in a French immersion program, were compared to French-speaking students and to English-speakers in a regular elementary program which included French instruction. Standardized tests in French, English, and mathematics showed achievement patterns consistent with those reported in…

Notes the effect of varying lengths of time spent by seventh grade Mexican American students in an elementary level bilingual education program on the students' grade point average, reading achievement, and self-concept. (Author/SB)

Explores the issue of English-only versus bilingual education by focusing on whether complete language assimilation is desirable for immigrant children and their families. Discusses the benefits of bilingualism, such as students exhibiting greater self-esteem, the benefits for immigrant families, and advantages for the labor market. Highlights the…

Investigated predictors of success on the Texas ExCET (Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas), highlighting the social studies ExCET components of the Elementary Comprehensive and Elementary Bilingual ExCET exams and noting the relationship of students' social studies coursework preparation, demographics, standardized exams, and…

Critiques two theories dominating bilingual education. The facilitation hypothesis predicts long-term advantage for bilingual education over all-English instruction. The time-on-task hypothesis predicts that all-English instruction is superior to bilingual education in teaching English. Argues that bilingual programs may facilitate English…

What have been some of the high points and disappointments of K-12 education over the past 75 years? How have shifting demographics in terms of race, ethnicity, social class and other differences shaped the educational experiences of various segments of the U.S. population? Sonia Nieto examines these questions, beginning with a discussion of the…

The Seattle Public Schools serve one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation. The school system's enrollment represents many racial and ethnic groups and includes students from around the world who come to Seattle speaking many languages and families who came to the city generations ago. The challenge facing Seattle and all other major…

To examine how neighborhood characteristics influence academic achievement, data were drawn from a community survey of low-income neighborhoods and linked with data on performance on standardized testing for third-grade students attending elementary schools in those communities. Results of multilevel logistic regressions indicated that probability…

A program that provided instructional and non-instructional services to Spanish speaking students of limited English proficiency at Morris High School in New York City during 1980-81 is described in the report. The instructional component included English as a Second Language, native language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The…

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a two-way immersion elementary school program on academic achievement at the end of the elementary school and the end of the first year of junior high school. Longitudinal high stakes test data in reading, writing, and mathematics were collected on native English speakers and native Spanish…

To study the effectiveness of multilingual education programs in the Houston Independent School District (Texas), four groups of students were identified for the analysis of their Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) results. These groups were: (1) students enrolled in bilingual education classes; (2) students in English as a Second Language…

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…

Project BECA, in its first year of funding, provided instruction in English as a second language and native language development, and bilingual instruction in mathematics, science, history, economics, industrial arts, recording keeping, typing, and bookkeeping to approximately 290 Spanish-speaking students in grades 9 through 12 at a high school…

Project Cumbre, the bilingual education program at the Ann Street Bilingual School in Hartford, Connecticut, was evaluated for the 1981-82 school year. The school was attended by 279 students in kindergarten through grade 6, of whom the majority were Hispanic. The participants, program, and objectives are described. Results are reported on (1)…