Located in East Oakland, Bridges Academy serves nearly 430 students, the majority of whom are Spanish speakers. Students who are considered socio-economically disadvantaged comprise 98% of the population and English Learners make up 83%. The school also hosts one of Oakland Unified School District's (OUSD) bilingual programs. In 2016, Bridges…

The Summer 2013 issue of "Voices in Urban Education" presents an interview with Dania Vazquez, founding principal of the Margarita Muñiz Academy, a Boston public high school offering dual-language education in Spanish and English. The first dual-language high school in Massachusetts, this Innovation School opened in the fall of 2012 with…

This article proposes that a complex issue such as bilingualism gives rise to a need for complex research. Complexity theories, both in the psycholinguistic and educational fields, may inspire new empirical studies on bilingualism that will likely provide data otherwise unattainable through classic pre-test/post-test methods. The article also…

In this commentary, we extend the cautionary tales regarding dual-language programs raised by several scholars by considering the interface of such programs with global education. We consider the possible pitfalls of uncritically framing dual-language programs within the global education movement in the United States, especially in light of how…

This paper presents the root causes of the resistance of mainstream European educational institutions to implementation of minority language programmes (bilingual programmes with both an official/dominant language and an immigrant minority language as media of instruction). Differential treatment of different minority languages in the mainstream…

In this article, the author comments on Peter Roos's article (this issue). The author sees a strong need to clarify whether the horse that is to be remounted is more and better English-as-a-second-language (ESL) programs or the goal of promoting bilingual education as a positive practice in the nation's schools or something else altogether. If the…

Three inter-related assumptions regarding best practice in second/foreign language teaching and bilingual/immersion education continue to dominate classroom instruction. These assumptions are that: (a) the target language (TL) should be used exclusively for instructional purposes without recourse to students' first language (L1); (b) translation…

The Bilingual Vocational Training model delivers vocational education to limited-English-proficient students through recruitment, intake and assessment, bilingual instruction, support services, and job placement. The Perkins Act expands the mandate for serving this population, focusing on accessibility, quality, and coordination. (SK)

These panel presentations focus on LEA Title VII Program Evaluations. Raj Balu, an administrator of bilingual programs in Chicago presents information regarding the bilingual education program in the Chicago public schools, as well as information on Title VII programs and what kind of evaluation is being done. Jesus Salazar, who is currently…

The author discusses sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic aspects of literacy education to immigrant children. Covers policies that authorities can follow with regard to literacy and the instruction models following from these policies. Presents arguments for bilingual literacy instruction. Gives a perspective of literacy education for immigrant…

Four types of geometric configurations used in illustrating bilingual education plans are described. The first type and one of the earliest consisted of a matrix form with horizontal/vertical columns. Three instructional designs based on this figure are a full-immersion approach, a dual language transitional plan, and a third plan in which the…

lig appears to provide more useful information and use a more relevant body of literature, representing an advance over earlier studies. (SLD)

Describes a high school program that encourages bilingual students to become tutors in their own community and to finish school and become teachers. (TB)

In the past two decades, bilingual education has become an educational movement and a field of academic inquiry worldwide. An overview focuses on the main trends that have evolved out of the international debate surrounding bilingual education. (82 references) (GLR)

This paper argues for the development of a new type of combined bilingual and bicultural/multicultural program or curriculum based on recent research. Some issues concerning bilingual education are addressed, followed by a short review of the findings of ethnographers concerning cultural differences in the classroom. The applicability of the Whorf…