This book proposes that children from non-English speaking families who are selected to serve as family interpreters perform at remarkably high levels when compared with others of their age, experience, and environment, and should be included in the federal definition of giftedness. The book reports on a research project carried out with young…

This article lists computer software programs for use in teaching English as a Second Language to bilingual students. The article briefly describes 23 software packages, arranged by grade level from nursery school to university. A list of suppliers' addresses is also included. (JDD)

Three pamphlets describe facets of "Encendiendo Una Llama," a Hartford (Connecticut) demonstration program for bilingual gifted and talented students. An overview pamphlet summarizes key aspects of the model program: identification procedures, instructional services, teacher training, parent involvement, evidence of effectiveness,…

A procedure for identifying students with limited English proficiency who have special needs is presented and a procedure for assessment is described. Before implementing an assessment process, the students and their special needs must be identified. A five-step identification process is recommended, which considers the child's task failure,…

This article reports that educators and experts across the country who work with English-language learners (ELLs) are moving toward a consensus that the federal Reading First program needs to be refined to become more effective for children acquiring English. Administrators in several big-city districts with large numbers of such students are…

Presents alternatives to three misconceptions about bilingual learners to promote the revaluing of these students. Describes traditional views of literacy instruction for second-language learners and suggests a whole-language literature program as an alternative. Lays out differences between inauthentic, controlled literature-based reading…

Presents historical and political contexts for discussing language maintenance and development in Scotland, explaining that research findings rarely have an impact on policy. While good practice exists in the maintenance of Gaelic and British Sign Language, these is a significant lack of support for other languages, and provision for all community…

Emerging issues and recent literature associated with language and curriculum development for exceptional bilingual students are discussed. Studies are cited which document student gains in achievement as a result of native language, English-as-a-second-language, or bilingual education strategies with handicapped limited-English-proficient (LEP)…

This Congressional hearing on the Bilingual Education Act examines current law and changes necessary to ensure that it provides limited English speaking students with the best possible educational opportunities. After opening statements by Chairman Michael Castle and Representative Carlos Romero-Barcelo, both of the Subcommittee on Early…

A descriptive study addressed student attrition in two Title VII Bilingual Education Career Ladder Programs for Hmong paraprofessionals and traditional-age college students working toward teacher certification in Wisconsin. Surveys showed that dropouts were disproportionately male and nontraditional students; factors included financial problems,…

Examined interactions between limited English proficient students and their native English speaking science teachers, investigating the effect of teacher input on students' access to classroom speech events. Data from classroom discussions, observations, and interviews indicated that differentiation in students' opportunities to take turns varied…

Many mainstreamed students with limited English proficiency continue to face the difficulty of learning English as a second language (ESL) while studying mathematics and other content areas framed in the language of native speakers. The difficulty these students often encounter in mathematics classes and their poor performance on subsequent…

Bilingual elementary pupils can successfully learn to write in English if they write about what is important to them, get feedback from their peers, use "invented spelling," and are allowed to work with partners. This report describes a third-grade teacher's class experience. (PS)

Concludes that the Spanish Oral Reading Test can be a useful tool for teachers who need to estimate the reading levels of immigrant children. (FL)

This article discusses the theoretical basis of and rationale for bilingual gifted education; highlights the points at which the intellectual bases of gifted education and bilingual education intersect; outlines programing practices such as encouraging students to "think in English"; and suggests future directions in the field. (Author/JDD)