Presents the political arguments surrounding bilingual education in American schools. Both proponents and opponents suggest that a hidden political agenda underlies the controversy, with the goal of preventing non-English speakers from participating fully in contemporary American political and civic activities. (SA)

Discusses the factors affecting the relationship between a program of publishing in Gaelic and the readership the program serves. These factors include the push for bilingual education at the primary school level, the emphasis on local and folk culture, and the economics of publishing for a comparatively small readership. (SED)

This article analyzes the influence of governmental policies on language acquisition, highlighting the fact that historical traditions as well as economic and social expectations have influenced governmental policy and hence, educational outcomes. (CT)

Discusses (1) the linguistic reality of modern British society, (2) the bilingual issues posed by voluntary self-help education in mother-tongue teaching, (3) the main conclusions of research evidence on bilingual learning, (4) specific considerations for a strategy for change, and (5) an overview of official governmental responses to the…

Discusses the recent EEC directive which requires schools to make available to children of migrant workers within the community instruction in the language of their native country. Problems inherent in the directive and an alternative policy are suggested. (Author/KC)

Reviews political debates over the effects of California Proposition 227, which restricted bilingual education. Identifies effective strategies for teaching language-minority students: valuing culture, native language use, staff development, community involvement, and student assessment. Asserts that Proposition 227 is flawed. (SK)

Population changes in the US have created new challenges for service providers responsible for screening, determining eligibility, and providing appropriate educational services to young English Language Learners (ELLs). Six focus groups (two each) with administrators, teachers, and parents were conducted in two different locations to investigate…

Describes and analyzes more than 75 years of research on the relationship between bilingualism and scholastic performance. Emphasizes studies of particular interest to educators, explains apparent contradictions in the research, and makes recommendations for policies with regard to bilingual and foreign language programs. (JHZ)

An examination of the issues and implications of the Lau case in which the San Francisco school district was instructed to provide meaningful bilingual-bicultural educational programs for non-English speaking students. (EH)

The passage of legislation mandating bilingual education in Texas school districts with sizable bilingual enrollments represents a significant step taken toward providing truly equal educational opportunities for the State's bilingual, bicultural students. (Author/DN)

Proposes three basic orientations toward language and its role in society: language-as-problem, language-as-right, and language-as-resource. Considers bilingual education in framework of these orientations. Sees the development and elaboration of a language-resource orientation as important for the integration of bilingual education into a…

Contrasts a traditional program of English language instruction with French as a second language, and an innovative program involving French immersion; project supported in part by the Canada Council and the Defense Research Board. (RL)

Presents overview of public policy, legislation, and rulings affecting education of ethnically diverse children in American schools. Points out that by examining this situation in other societies we gain new insights on American problems. (Author/BK)