This study examined critical components of the assessment procedures school psychologists use when conducting evaluations for emotional disturbance with students who are English language learners (ELLs). A random sample of 1,500 members of NASP from 12 states with high limited English proficient populations was surveyed. A total of 439 respondents…

This report provides an overview of Hispanic participation in education at the national level, in the state of Wisconsin, and in the Wisconsin Technical Colleges (WTCs). The first section provides national statistics, indicating that in 1990 Hispanics had a high school completion rate of 54.9%, more than 20 points below Black and 30 points below…

This study looks at predicting the length of time the students in the Dallas Public School District (Texas) will remain in a limited English program. Student growth rates determined from 3 years of data were analyzed and compared to expected growth rates identified by the "Woodcock-Munoz Language Survey (WMLS)." The WMLS annual expected…

A qualitative method for assessing the cognitive and linguistic development of bilingual children is presented, and its underlying model is discussed. The model views language learning as a concept formation process in three domains: cognitive; cultural; and linguistic. This method has been found useful in accurately differentiating genuine…

Project BEAM-UP offers English as a second language (ESL), native language arts, and bilingual content-area instruction to students of limited English proficiency (LEP) in grades 9 through 12 at Sarah J. Hale High School in Brooklyn, New York. The student participants speak Spanish or Haitian Creole. The goal of the program is to help these…

This study evaluated equal educational opportunities available to Maine's language minority students, using information from four 1997 fact-finding meetings that included representatives from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, local school superintendents, English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers and professionals,…

A model is proposed to project optimal school psychology service ratios based upon the percentages of at risk students enrolled within a given school population. Using the standard 1:1,000 service ratio advocated by The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) as a starting point, ratios are then adjusted based upon the size of three…

The 11 chapters in this text address issues concerned with identification and educational intervention with gifted students who are from culturally diverse backgrounds. Chapters have the following titles and authors: (1) "The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse School Population in the United States" (Angela Reyes-Carrasquillo); (2) "Culturally…

Research reports major concerns over classification and measurement for students with limited English proficiency (LEP). A poor operational definition of the English language proficiency construct and validity concerns about existing language proficiency tests are among these issues. Decisions on including LEP students in large-scale assessments…

An adaptation of the Hannah-Gardner Test of Verbal and Nonverbal Language Functioning was developed to be used in screening the language skills of 540 low-income Black, English-dominant Hispanic, and Anglo preschool children. The procedures used to calculate local norms and other issues involved in screening minority populations are discussed.…

Considers the position of specialist and mainstream teachers of bilingual pupils, the recent training initiatives, and the current constraints affecting implementation of coherent programs. The article outlines a Local Education Authority inservice package for both specialist and mainstream teachers. (GR)

Among the topics examined in this research review of issues in bilingual and bicultural education are (1) demographic and educational trends that point to growing numbers of bilingual and bicultural children; (2) continuing misconceptions about how young children learn a second language; (3) successful approaches in early childhood bilingual…

Describes the various components of the Success for All Program (SFAP) and provides a detailed review of its effectiveness in improving the academic accomplishments of students placed at risk, including English-language learners and special education students. It also compares SFAP with Reading Recovery programs. Results of evaluations of 23 SFAP…

The Assessment and Intervention Model for the Bilingual Exceptional Student (AIM for the BESt) was designed as a comprehensive service delivery system to help school districts address the educational needs of language minority students. The model incorporates prereferral intervention, assessment, and intervention strategies. Implementation of the…

The dialogue journal procedure, which involves written turn-taking between a teacher and a student, is examined in terms of how the journal process can prepare students for later oral communication. The use of the dialogue journal with four distinct student populations (hearing impaired or deaf, learning disabled, bilingual, and…