Describes and analyzes more than 75 years of research on the relationship between bilingualism and scholastic performance. Emphasizes studies of particular interest to educators, explains apparent contradictions in the research, and makes recommendations for policies with regard to bilingual and foreign language programs. (JHZ)

This theme issue focuses on instructional practices, evaluation, and the state of bilingual education. "Effective Implementation of Bilingual Programs: Reflections from the Field" (Abelardo Villarreal, Adela Solis) describes the key characteristics of successful bilingual programs: vision and goals; program leadership; linkage to central…

This document comprises the two 1997 issues of the journal. Articles include the following: "The Importance of Learning English: A National Survey of Hispanic Parents" (Michael La Velle); "The Languages of Immigrants" (Charles L. Glenn); "Follow-Up Study on the Bethlehem, PA School District's English Acquisition…

This 3-year study evaluated a culturally and linguistically appropriate curriculum for 168 preschool children in a southwest Head Start program. Three yearly student cohorts (1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000) have participated in the study evaluating the Language Enrichment Activities Program (LEAP) as the curriculum. During Year 1, the English LEAP…

Despite their claim to the contrary, Walsh and Carballo in their report, "Transitional Bilingual Education in Massachusetts: A Preliminary Study of Its Effectiveness" (1986), did not demonstrate the superiority of bilingual education because their study was marred by a number of problems, here identified. (BJV)

The Bilingual Education Act of 1968 (also know as Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) recognized that the educational needs of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students could not be met by traditional, English-only instruction. This legislation provided funding to state education agencies and local school districts to…

This guide, provided by a partisan education policy public interest group, seeks to answer the most frequently asked questions about teaching, designing, and evaluating an English immersion classroom and the research underpinnings in favor of English immersion. This guide aims to help teachers and policymakers better understand what English…

The inability of limited English proficient (LEP) children to profit from instruction in English can lead to nonacademic courses, failure, and dropping out. The two basic types of educational programs, bilingual programs and English language programs, are described. (MT)

The author argues that the secretary of education's proposed changes involving bilingual education, along with looming budget cuts, threaten to roll back educational opportunities for language-minority children. (MT)

Discusses the results of new research comparing the effectiveness of bilingual education and English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction to teach limited-English-proficiency (LEP) Hispanic American students English. (PKP)

Vocational teachers must address the needs of limited-English-speaking students who are Indochinese. Although legislative mandates require that bilingual education be provided, school systems are given latitude in developing programs. Vocational teachers should develop strategies and instructional techniques to serve these students more…

Reports on how bilingual educators in California are coping with English-only instruction in the aftermath of Proposition 227. (Author/VWL)

With the increasing number of undocumented workers entering the United States and the costs associated with educating their children, bilingual education may soon become the target of opponents of illegal immigration. Furthermore, recent leftist shifts in Latin American governments have provided an impetus for an educated biliterate population…

This practitioner issue brief outlines successful strategies and recommendations for state-level policymakers, administrators, schools, and districts that are based on a 5-year evaluation study on the learning environment for ELLs in the state of California. This brief offers four critical building blocks that should be in place to effectively…

The "Institute for Change," a proposed modular training project to improve the quality of educational services to linguistic minorities in special education, was pilot tested with 12 college trainees. Nine modules were delivered in 60 hours of training, with individual training plans developed (samples are included). The project forms the basis of…