As an introduction to two models for teaching teachers to assess bilingual and limited-English-speaking students' language proficiency, legislative and educational perspectives on the need for development of language assessment procedures for this group are outlined and strategies for implementing such procedures are discussed, including community…

Early education of language-minority students has considered linguistic, cognitive, and social attributes of children and schooling contexts. Although far from comprehensive, language-minority education has a broader theoretical and empirical foundation for which present educational practice can be judged and future research can be designed.…

This book discusses the debate over the English-only movement, examining how it affects teachers and students and highlighting one California district's experience with changes brought about by Proposition 227. Chapter 1, "Introduction," reviews the issue. Chapter 2, "Teachers' Place in the Local Enactment of Language Policy,"…

This report shares the initial Phase 1 results from a quantitative and qualitative study examining the feasibility and desirability of offering Minnesota students with limited English proficiency (LEP) a reading test with bilingual test items and answer choices. In considering the use of a native language translation accommodation to the Minnesota…

This publication presents a summary of an ongoing collaborative research study that is both national in scope and practical for immediate local decision making in schools. It is written for bilingual and English as a Second Language program coordinators and local school policy makers. The research includes findings from five large urban and…

This article discusses alternative language assessment approaches with children for whom English is a second language. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach are noted. Also, results of a preliminary investigation with 28 bilingual Latino children using modifications of the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals are presented.…

Describes the Raising Achievement Project designed to address the need for more information on the performance of ethnic minorities for whom English is an additional language, and the need for support for children who have passed the initial stages of learning English. It also describes the action research model used to answer questions about…

This study examined developmental changes in lexical comprehension in 100 bilingual individuals at five age levels, all of whom had learned Spanish as a first language and English beginning at age 5. Although skills improved in both languages over time, by middle childhood performance was better in English, with this transition occurring earlier…

Investigates what language minority and language majority high school students believe about various issues related to bilingual education programs. Data from student surveys and narratives indicate that bilingual education programs appear to be effective, with many language minority students learning to speak English, though some students found…

This Digest discusses the ongoing effort to develop new methods for identifying talent and giftedness among bilingual and limited-English-proficient Hispanic students. To provide better profiles for the identification of all gifted children, research suggests use of both qualitative and quantitative instruments. Several instruments are recommended…

This investigative report analyzes 1978-83 enrollment data from two national studies, selected state studies (California, Florida, Massachusetts, and New Jersey) and local school district studies (New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago) in order to determine the prevalence of exceptional bilingual students, examine general trends, and report…

A study tested the hypothesis that the production of derivational (as contrasted with grammatical) morphemes is acquired through a systematic development of three distinct psychological processes: comprehension, segmentation, and production, regardless of whether the individual is a first- or second-language learner. The subjects were 32 children,…

The English language skills needed by bilingual high school students, particularly Spanish speaking students with limited English ability, are considered. Secondary level bilingual students' needs differ from those of elementary school bilingual students because of the diversity of student backgrounds, variety of curricular demands, and diversity…

Currently, there is no overall strategy for comprehensively addressing the academic needs of English Language Learners (ELLs). Their right to equal opportunities to participate and learn has been recognized by federal law. There is limited evidence regarding bilingual education and effective strategies for educating ELLs. Research indicates that 1…

To assist a class of Hispanic teenagers whose English reading and writing skills were limited, a program using both Spanish and English, or a bilingual model, was implemented. Application of the "alternate language" approach is described. (11 references) (LB)