Improving the education of a growing sector of the school population--English language learners (ELLs)--is a pressing unmet need in the nation's current public education system (Gándara 1994; Genesee et al. 2006; Hood 2003). Another urgent educational need is to prepare students to live and work in an increasingly globally connected world.…

The use of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) is supported by several decades of research regarding their technical adequacy, practical utility, and use with diverse populations. Questions remain regarding the measurement of growth using tri-annual reading CBM (R-CBM) assessment. Existing research on annual rates of growth is inconclusive with…

This report presents a description of state policies regarding the participation of English language learners (ELLs) in statewide assessment programs during the 1998-1999 school year. The data collected included descriptions of policies: (1) for the inclusion and exemption of ELLs; (2) regarding the allowance or prohibition of accommodations in…

The advent of universal accountability has provided the opportunity to evaluate the progress of students who have had programs to address limited English proficiency. As part of the New York statewide assessment system, students are identified as belonging to these categories: (1) never having been identified as limited English proficient (LEP);…

Four common myths or misconceptions in the United States about language are discussed, drawing on historical evidence and contemporary data. These myths are that: (1) the predominance of English and English literacy is threatened; (2) English literacy is the only literacy worth noting; (3) English illiteracy is high because language minorities are…

A discussion of the movement to make English the only official language in the United States' multilingual society examines the nature and scope of the movement and draws instructional and language policy implications for teaching situations involving language-minority populations. It draws a relationship between the politics of language diversity…

Discusses ways in which the regular classroom teacher can design language development programs for limited-English-speaking children. (HTH)

Analysis of the first 10 years of the newsletter, "US ENGLISH Update," reveals that its main focus is restricting the use of Spanish in the United States out of fear for the status of English. This policy objective is rooted in language attitudes based on impressions and hearsay. It blames bilingual education for an unwillingness of…

This digest provides an overview of the opposing sides in the Official English debate--Official English and English Plus. Proponents of Official English seek to make English the official language of the United States through passage of a constitutional amendment. The movement is spearheaded by two groups, U.S. English and English First. Official…

Ways in which an evaluation of bilingual programs could be appropriately conducted were studied, using two transitional bilingual education programs. In Program A, the first language (Spanish) is the initial medium for all instruction with a gradual phasing in of English. Program A is located in a large suburban school system in central…

Compares five commonly used English-Spanish language dominance instruments according to area of language measured, domain assessed, developmental comparability, and language variety or dialect. Examines the proficiency information provided and the validity, reliability, and norming of the instruments. Concludes that the tests are not comparable…

This book for young readers explores the controversy surrounding the use of languages other than English in education and social settings in the United States. Supporters of the "Official English," or "U.S. English," movement believe that the government and schools should do anything they can to get all Americans to use English…

The lives of accomplished bilingual adults who were educated in Massachusetts schools are reviewed to analyze the role of transitional bilingual education (TBE) in their lives. The 12 adults interviewed, chosen not as a representative sample, but because they have succeeded in life, attended bilingual education in Massachusetts, generally in urban…

Factors influencing English word identification performance of 27 Spanish-speaking beginning readers (grade 1) were investigated. Performance on English word and pseudoword recognition tests was predicted by Spanish phonological awareness and Spanish word recognition. Implications for instruction of beginning readers are discussed. (SLD)

This paper, which considers effective science teaching and learning for limited English proficient (LEP) students in U.S. schools, is based on the assumption that science and English language can be effectively learned together without excessive emphasis on students' native language, although teachers and aides who have knowledge of LEP students'…