Bilingual Education for Hispanics: Issues of Language, Access and Equity.

Overview & Synopsis

This collection of short articles focuses on bilingual education for Hispanics. The lead article cites statistics concerning the education of Hispanics, the segregation of Hispanics in schools, and the educational level they are likely to attain. The second article presents a historical perspective on bilingual education in American schools and analyzes reasons for resistance to bilingual education. In the third article, the author looks at the interest groups that support bilingual education, their past growth, and imperiled future. Another article examines diversity in schools and the apparent tension between desegregation and bilingual education. A brief article outlines research findings on the involvement of parents in bilingual advisory groups. A final lengthy article deals with Title VII and bilingual education. The authors look at the history of Title VII, including the years from 1968 to 1974 in which its educational objectives were identified, the years 1974 to 1979 in which the greatest growth in basic programs and appropriations occurred, and the years 1978 to the present consisting primarily of reflection, deregulation, and reauthorization. The article concludes by acknowledging the wide-reaching impact of bilingual education, urging its continuation, and warning that there are problem issues raised by it that cannot be ignored. (Author/JM)