Questionnaires were mailed to first, second, and third grade state bilingual education program teachers in five selected South Texas school districts to examine criteria used by state bilingual education program teachers to transfer limited English speaking ability (LESA) children from Spanish reading to English reading. Three-fourths of the 31…

To explore the relationship of four sets of factors on Mexican American and Anglo American students' desire to take science courses (enjoyment of science, grades, importance of science, and self image), data were gathered from ninth grade students at three high schools in southern Arizona, by using questionnaires for students and interviews with…

While language has been the chief factor cited as causing Chicano youth to score below the majority population on mental and educational measurement scales, other explanatory factors identified by researchers over the years include socio-economic status, residential area (urban/rural), ethnicity and culture. Citations for 253 studies, books,…

An alternative high school is proposed to meet the needs of the substantial number of Yuma students who are dropping out of school at increasing rates. In the period from 1974 to 1978 enrollment at Yuma's 2 high schools increased by only 8% while the drop-out rate increased by 56%. Enrollment figures show that the drop-out rate is highest in grade…

THE MEXICAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS UNIT OF THE U. S. OFFICE OF EDUCATION IS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH THESE PROBLEMS--(1) ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF MEXICAN AMERICANS, (2) PROGRAMS TO RAISE THE EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL, AND (3) UTILIZATION OF FEDERAL AID TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OF MEXICAN AMERICANS. FEDERAL PROGRAMS WHICH CAN BE USED TO…

THE INTERRELATEDNESS OF THE EDUCATION, NUTRITION, HEALTH, CLOTHING, SOCIAL CUSTOMS, AND HOUSING PROBLEMS OF THE MIGRANT CHILD ARE DISCUSSED WITH THE POINT BEING TO SHOW THEIR IMPORTANCE AND THE EFFECT OF THEIR LACK ON A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT. FURTHER DISCUSSION TAKES UP THE EFFECT OF THESE FACTORS UPON THE CHILD'S PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT AND HIS…

Failure of the educational system to provide for the Mexican American student can be seen by his dropout rate which is twice that of the national average and by his schooling ratio which is 8 years compared to 12 years for the average Anglo. In order to solve the problems of the low-income, bicultural, bilingual Mexican American student, higher…

The Good Neighbor Commission of Texas, organized under a 1943 Federal grant and later constituted as a State agency, coordinates the work of the Federal, State, and local governments in improving travel and working conditions of migrant farm workers. The basic responsibilities presented in its 1973 annual report are: (1) surveying conditions and…

Compares 86 Mexican-American secondary school students in Houston, Texas, who had and 90 students who had not received bilingual instruction in elementary grades. Finds small difference in grade point average (GPA) and absenteeism and fewer dropouts/retentions among bilingual program participants. Finds more years of bilingual instruction…

The 10 issues of IDRA Newsletter published in 2000 focus on education in Texas and on national and statewide educational issues concerning minority, low-income, or bilingual students. Feature articles include: "Musical Chairs and Unkept Promises" (reforming education to keep all students "in the game"); "The ENLACE…

Examines effects of socioeconomic status, school funding, English proficiency, and Latino population concentration on achievement scores of students in grades 3, 6, and 12 in 66 rural California school districts. Performance on the California Assessment Program was predicted primarily by parental socioeconomic status, and, unexpectedly, improved…

Although blocked by a preliminary injunction, Proposition 187, also known as the Save Our State Initiative, would ban nonemergency health care, schooling, and other social services for illegal immigrants. Since its passage by the citizens of California in 1994, several states, such as Arizona, Washington, Oregon, and Florida, have begun to…

Describes the successful bilingual education program at Socorro High School, Texas. As a result of site-based management, teacher-collaborative strategic planning, widespread ESL certification, and a parent-student-teacher school improvement team, students (98% Hispanic, 90% poor) consistently score above state averages; fewer than 2% drop out,…

Reviews legal claims made by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund on behalf of plaintiffs challenging the Texas graduation requirement that students pass the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills. Discusses the requirement as a violation of minority students' equal protection and due process rights. Analyzes court actions and the…

This newsletter contains seven articles on developmentally appropriate and equitable practices for use in preschool and primary classrooms and at home. Examples frequently relate to Hispanic or limited-English-proficient (LEP) students. "Parents As First Teachers: Creating an Enriched Home Learning Environment" (Abelardo Villarreal)…