The purpose of the study was to assess the relative mathematics achievement of English-speaking pupils enrolled in grades 3, 6, and 9 in regular English or French immersion programs during the 1981-82 and 1982-83 school years. The data were obtained as part of a 2-year evaluation of a system-based mathematics program developed by an Ontario school…

Achievement in French and English language skills and in mathematics is compared among groups of immersion students in Grades 3, 6, and 9 in the province of Manitoba. Comparisons are also made between these groups of immersion students and a sample of students whose native language is French. Different types of programs (early and late, total and…

It has been shown that students in North America can learn both a foreign language and subject matter taught in that language at the same time successfully. The immersion model is first examined for the majority group child, then considered for several target groups. (SCC)

Following a brief history of bilingual education (BE), the author makes a meta-evaluation assessment of BE research, arguing that the findings are not so contradictory if one examines the theoretical frameworks chosen by the researchers. The equilibrium and conflict paradigms and the structural-functional theory are considered. (SJL)

A discussion of the effect of an immersion program on the majority language child. Research is reviewed on the "threshold hypothesis" and "the developmental interdependence hypothesis." Recent studies of the cognitive and academic effects of bilingualism are critically examined in the light of these hypotheses. A bibliography…

This update summarizes the first 2 years of a 5-year evaluation of the implementation of California's Proposition 227 (which replaces the state's bilingual education programs with 1-year English immersion programs) and its effects on the education of English language learners (ELLs). Researchers used the percentage of ELLs receiving primary…

A description of the French program in Ottawa schools and a look at the costs and sources of revenue for implementing a second language program. (Editor)

Examines two types of Canadian bilingual education programs in order to identify the strengths of French immersion that would be applicable to Indian and Metis native language programs. Compares staffing problems, student characteristics, curriculum, and linguistic and cultural goals. (SV)

Based on a literacy interdependence theory, uses findings from the Ramirez et al. study on programs for Spanish-speaking, limited-English-proficient students to refute theories opposing bilingual education. Expresses concern that all three program types in the Ramirez study reflect transmission models of pedagogy in which students have little…

Reviews the reported findings and implications of the Ramirez et al. study. Examines the validity of the operational definitions of the program types and the degree of implementation of the models. Discusses the seven major findings of the study, and some possibly misleading conclusions. (KS)

Finds that the reading performance of English-as-a-second-language students and English language learners immersed in regular education classes in a large urban school district was far below grade-level performance, across all categories of measurement; but that the performance of English language learners who had successfully exited from…

In 1998, California voters approved Initiative 227, requiring that all limited-English children be provided an English-immersion program for 1 year or longer as needed. Hispanic parents are leaders in the movement. Dire predictions that bilingual children in English-language classrooms would fall behind have not materialized. (Contains 18…

This book provides practical strategies and tools for assessing and teaching even the most hard to reach English language learners across the content areas. Syrja offers educators the latest information on working with ELLs (including using formative assessments) and provides a wealth of classroom-tested models and measures. These tools have…

This article suggests that the terms "bilingual education, multicultural education, bilingual instruction, and total immersion" refer to four distinct processes, each needing to be defined more clearly. To define them, a theoretical framework is proposed based on two sets of variables. The first set integrates the anthropological model of human…

This study, undertaken from 1983-84 through 1988-89, compared the relative effectiveness of two alternative programs (structured English immersion and late-exit transitional bilingual education) with that of the program typically funded through the Bilingual Education Act, the early-exit transitional bilingual education program. The…