Reviews various interpretations of academic literacy that are being applied to science education, their limitations in terms of Latino students, and case study experiences of three Latino students majoring in science. The author also examines ways to improve academic literacy programs, and recommends methods to effect advancement in Latinos'…

This study examined the relationship between first and second language oral language proficiency and reading skills in Spanish-English first grade children (n=85). Reading and phonological processing were related both within and across languages. Three factors (a reading factor, an oral proficiency factor, and an implicit phonological factor) were…

Focuses on parental participation in the educational process as a means of building and maintaining close relationships between parents and the school. The patterns of volunteering in the school and the ways that parents used these opportunities, not only to benefit the school and the community, but to improve their own lives are discussed. (GR)

Addresses the need to provide bilingual, Hispanic American students with equal opportunities to learn and excel in science. Discusses the context and content of science education, suggests approaches for bilingual science teaching, and proposes potential solutions to the problems. (MDH)

This article discusses the problems with traditional methods of assessing bilingual students and describes curriculum-based measurement (CBM) for use with bilingual Hispanic students. Additional information about the features of CBM is presented along with issues related to the use of CBM with bilingual Hispanic students. (Contains references.)…

Presents 12 ideas for meeting the educational and social needs of second language learners, including: assess student needs; empathize; foster a sense of belonging; assign a buddy; use sheltered English techniques; teach key words; read and reread books aloud; provide opportunities for success; keep track of language progress; value bilingualism;…

Describes a class project that included a literature search, observation of the Hale-Bopp comet, planning and building a model solar system, and presentation of the model in class. Finds that bilingual students in the class made significant progress in their learning of concepts and the acquisition of English as a result of completing the project.…

The first National Education Goal states that all children in America will start school ready to learn. This report examines what it means to be ready to learn and what this goal means for language minority children. It is noted that language minority children will form an increasingly greater proportion of the school population, that they are…

Alternatives to standard language proficiency testing of bilingual or language minority students are discussed in this educational policy bulletin. The New Mexico strategy is described, which uses multiple assessment techniques to identify students' home language, assess oral English proficiency through standardized testing and teacher…

Suggests that limited English speaking students' oral language can be developed by using pictures and concrete referents and then by using the language experience approach to teach English reading. (FL)

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…

Much work is needed in the area of testing and assessment of limited-English-proficient students. The article discusses characteristics of bilingualism, code switching and other bilingual language patterns, the five types of tests currently used with limited-English-proficient students, and the new curriculum-based achievement tests which are more…

This pilot study investigated Standard American English (SAE) morphological development for 15 bilingual Hispanic preschoolers. Analysis of data from spontaneous language samples revealed emergent use of Brown's (1973) 14 grammatical morphemes. Because mastery generally was later than for SAE speakers, clinicians are urged to use caution when…

It is argued that language minority education has generally been perceived as a separate program or model, and as a result has often become marginalized within its larger school setting, which negatively influences students, teachers, and the program. An alternative approach to program design, intended to avoid this marginalization by making…

This document is designed to assist teachers and school personnel serving the needs of non- and limited-English Spanish-speaking students in Colorado schools so that teachers can create a nurturing environment that enhances learning among Spanish-speaking students. Expressions common to the school environment are given in English and in Spanish…