This study examines the relationship between proficient bilingualism or biliteracy (proficiency in reading and writing in both Spanish and English) and the self-esteem of Mexican American students. The concept of proficient bilingualism has not been widely used to examine bilingual education's noncognitive functions, in particular its effect on…

Based on direct observations of the family, this paper analyzes the teaching strategies used by a Puerto Rican kindergartner's older siblings and extended family members to teach school-related knowledge and skills. As the family's instruction was conducted in Spanish only, these teaching strategies are analyzed in relation to those used by the…

This paper defines bilingual education and notes that because of bilingual education's broad definition, a number of vastly different types of programs and program goals are being pursued. Four broad categories of bilingual education programs based on four different kinds of community and school objectives are discussed in this paper. Each of…

The purpose of this paper is to provide classroom teachers with background information about code switching and its role and function within a bilingual community. The many facets of code switching and its varying characteristics are described in some detail, as well as code switching in the classroom and the importance of the teacher's attitude…

A study investigated the extent to which oral language forms influence the written products of Mexican-American students attending an inner city school in a low income neighborhood. For the study, writing samples from 78 third grade and 92 sixth grade students were analyzed for Spanish, interlanguage, and Chicano English features. (Interlanguage…

This study of code switching among Puerto Rican children attending a New York City public school focuses primarily upon the correlation between interaction rules, as perceived by the participants, and code switching. Code switching strategies of a seven-year-old boy, an eight-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old girl in the bilingual third grade class…

This account of the development of bilingual schooling in Miami's bicultural community is addressed to others wishing to apply, modify or improve any one of the many types of bilingual schooling. The Dade County bilingual education experience is discussed under the following headings: (1) "Language Education in the American Context," (2)…

Major federal bilingual education programs are described, and data are presented to show the nature and extent of bilingual education activities. The report attempts to present the current estimates of the number of limited English-speaking persons who may require bilingual education and some demographic characteristics of these persons. State…

Language assessment procedures developed by the Houston Independent School District were undertaken to identify limited-English-speaking-ability (LESA) students, mostly Mexican-Americans, for bilingual instruction. Six phases of program development were included: (1) goals, policies and procedures; (2) language assessment; (3) instructional…

AN EXPERIMENTAL CLASS IN BICULTURAL AND BILINGUAL EDUCATION WAS CONDUCTED FOR THE CHILDREN OF MEXICAN DESCENT IN MARYSVILLE, CALIFORNIA. THE CLASS, PLANNED ON AN UNGRADED BASIS, INCLUDED 8 BOYS AND 11 GIRLS WHOSE AGES RANGED FROM 6 TO 10 YEARS AND WHOSE GRADE PLACEMENTS ORDINARILY WOULD HAVE BEEN FROM KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 4. TWELVE OF THE 19…

The learning potential (LP) procedure represents an alternative method of measuring ability of Spanish-speaking students who tend to score low on traditional IQ tests. This study sought to determine the relative predictive power of LP and IQ measures on achievement of 188 first through sixth grade Spanish-speaking students. Subjects participated…

This study assesses the implementation of the "Let's Be Amigos" program for Spanish- and English-speaking students during its first year. The program, operating in Philadelphia at the elementary and secondary school levels, is described in terms of instructional objectives, evaluation criteria and procedures, student performance, teacher…

The dual objective of this demonstration project was to show "how the reality of two or more language and ethnic groups present within one integrated classroom could be utilized to develop (1) bilingual readiness in both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking children, and (2) positive attitudes toward and respect for one's own native language and…

The important cooperative relationship between the school and its community assumes even greater importance when the learners are speakers of other languages. The single most important motivating force in learning a new language is the attitude of learners and their parents toward the new language and its speakers. Of all the responsibilities the…

This project, carried out in 1968-1969, undertook as its main purposes (1) to review the research that has been conducted on bilingual education; (2) to obtain the recommendations on bilingual education from those persons who have been actively engaged in working with this problem; (3) to conduct on-site visitations to see at first hand programs…