Running head: BILINGUAL REFLECTION
Bilingual Reflection
Craig A. Bryant
EDUC 5382 – Administration of Special Operations
Professor – Dr. Kristy Duckworth
East Texas Baptist University
August 3, 2015
Version 1.0
BILINGUAL REFLECTION
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The 1973 Bilingual Education and Training Act mandates that schools with twenty or
more LEP students per grade level in a district must have a bilingual program. Texas is one of
only four states to require bilingual education. The goal of the Act, and in bilingual education in
general is to “use native-language instruction to promote learning and facilitate the transfer of the
language-minority child to the English-only mainstream program.” The landmark LAU v.
Nichols decision ensured bilingual programs a place in the education of students whose first
language was not English. Furthermore, with the adoption of the Equal Educational Opportunity
Act of 1974, the federal government ensured that children whose first language was not English
had equal access to education.
The terms bilingual and English Language Learner are generally used interchangeably,
but ESL is just one of several bilingual programs. Bilingual is what I would call the big
umbrella. At the middle school level in Texas, it is a local option to implement bilingual
programs. This is not the case at the high school level. ESL is the required program. In order for
bilingual students to be served, it really does take a team effort from teachers, administrators, and
parents. It is great for a campus to have bilingual staff, but that does not come to fruition
everywhere. Interpreters can also come in handy when speaking with parents of bilingual
children. Many time the interpreter is the child.
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Funding for bilingual programs come from state and federal grants, with the
majority coming from state tax dollars. The cost of educating bilingual students is
substantially higher than for the general ed population. In past years, it has been 25 – 34
percent above the cost of regular classroom instruction. NCLB considerably restructures
the requirements for federal funding of bilingual education. School districts must now
apply to the Texas Education Agency for supplemental bilingual education funds.
BILINGUAL REFLECTION
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Bilingual Education and Immigrant Education programs are now consolidated into one State
formula program. Funding no longer focuses only on bilingual education curriculums.
Rather, English only or English immersion programs receive more consideration for grant
opportunities than in previous years. Federal funding requires greater accountability from
States. LEP students must participate in reading and language arts assessments in English
after attending school for three years in the United States.
Serving bilingual students is very important, especially in our state of Texas.
Although our state and nation have come a long way, these programs are often underfunded.
Additionally, campuses in some areas of Texas simply cannot provide bilingual teachers.
Bilingual programs are extremely important. They should not be left behind.