Argues that increasing numbers of students with limited English proficiency in the United States create a need for educators prepared to teach linguistically and culturally diverse students. Summarizes factors that affect the design of bilingual education programs and describes the program components necessary to provide education services to…

The Compton Community College (CCC) General Education Associate of Arts/Certification Bilingual Immersion Program (BIP) is designed to allow English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) or limited English proficiency (LEP) students to study subjects beyond ESL in a bilingual setting. Current ESL programs offer students no oppurtunity to take degree/transfer…

This article from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education reviews the history, strategies, and research evidence on the impact of our nation's response to bilingual education. Suggests future policy recommendations for expansion of bilingual educational services. (SA)

Argues that we must rethink the assumptions upon which bilingual-education programs are founded. Programs that reinforce minority-group identification should be replaced with programs that give all students a common sense of American heritage. Bilingual education undermines the American ideals of one nation under God and of a single "we the…

This report summarizes student, staff, and program data for Austin Independent School District's bilingual and English as a second language programs for 2007-2008.

The New York City Bilingual Technical Assistance Center provides technical assistance and training to personnel involved with instructional programs for students of limited English proficiency (LEP) in the city's 32 community school districts and the Board of Education's Division of High Schools. In 1985-86 the Center successfully implemented all…

Shows that of the 300 bilingual program evaluations studied only 72 were methodologically acceptable and of that 72 only 22% found traditional bilingual education better than regular classroom instruction when the outcome is reading, 7% when the outcome is language, and 9% when the outcome is math. Suggests that findings do not favor transition…

The hypothesis that native language (L1) proficiency promotes English acquisition and overall academic achievement, a key theoretical assumption underlying bilingual education, was tested using latent growth modeling of data from 899 limited-English-proficient (LEP) eighth graders who were followed for 12 years in the National Education…

Introduces special section in this issue on educating linguistic minority children. Relates the author's own experience as a participant observer in pioneering bilingual education efforts, and comments on the articles in this issue. (BJV)

The Title VII Bilingual Education Act was enacted in 1968 and reauthorized in 1988 to counteract the low academic achievement of limited-English-proficient students (LEPs). Through a competitive grant program, funds are provided to local education agencies (LEAs) to establish programs to serve LEP students. Based on findings of a national study…

This study examines obstacles faced by limited English-speaking adults in bilingual vocational training projects. Methods and procedures used in nine federally funded bilingual vocational training projects to resolve the identified obstacles are documented, and their usefulness is assessed. The purpose and background of the study are first…

Describes the role of social science research evidence in the development of federal and court policy on bilingual education through a review of important court decisions. Assesses the research evidence on policy alternatives for educational programs for non-English speaking students. Provides recommendations for improving educational achievement…

Explores the use of small group discussions and journal entries to provide a safe place for adult students of English as a second language to take the risks necessary to practice a new language. (EL)

Discusses the author's experience as director of the Program in English as a Second Language (ESL) at Lehman College of the City University in the Bronx, New York. ESL, bilingual, and mainstream (ie., curricula that assume English proficiency) programs should be better coordinated to meet their common goal. (BJV)

Who is teaching limited English proficiency students in English-as-second-language and bilingual programs? In general, the teachers studied were not qualified to provide students with appropriate language development class work because they themselves were cognitively and linguistically mediocre. (Author/LHW)