Two major analytic procedures for estimating the number of children with limited English proficiency (discriminant analysis and probabilistic procedures) are described and strengths and weaknesses discussed. Synthetic cohort analysis (an expanded version of the probabilistic approach) is described and recommended as an alternate procedure for…

Compares five commonly used English-Spanish language dominance instruments according to area of language measured, domain assessed, developmental comparability, and language variety or dialect. Examines the proficiency information provided and the validity, reliability, and norming of the instruments. Concludes that the tests are not comparable…

Although the vocabulary, content, and format of the English and Spanish versions of the California Test of Basic Skills were largely equivalent, content analysis revealed three possible sources of test bias: (1) problems inherent in translation; (2) the match between tests and instructional materials; and (3) intervening cultural variables. (SB)

Results of a study of linguistic structure acquisition by children aged 18 to 24 months whose first language is Spanish include inventories of verbs and nouns used by the children and show which tenses appear first and in which order and the appearance of noun plurals and articles with nouns. (SB)

Analyzes the oral production of verb tenses and temporal expressions in the speech of four Spanish-speaking Mexican American children between the ages of two and four and one-half. Gives details of linguistic development at three- and/or six-month intervals. Charts the most common temporal expressions and their frequency of occurrence. (SB)

A study of three elementary school programs (bilingual multicultural; integrated English as a second language (ESL); nonintegrated ESL) for non-English-proficient Hispanic children compared grade point averages in math, reading, and language achievement test scores of first and sixth graders. Bilingual multicultural students were superior on most…

The High School and Beyond data set, despite sample constraints, is an invaluable resource for researchers in bilingual education; it contains information from Hispanic students and parents, and from teachers and school administrators, and includes an excellent language file, useful for studying language shift and impact of bilingual education…

A history of the influences and pressures shaping the evolution of bilingual education legislation in Texas (1965-73) illustrates how different and opposed political factions and philosophical views have shaped programs to teach language minority children such as Mexican Americans. (MH)

Contains information on incidence of handicapping conditions among Texas Hispanic students; delivery of special education services to handicapped Texas Hispanics; a specific example of the application of a human resource planning model to bilingual handicapped students; significant staffing needs associated with serving exceptional Hispanics.…

A study of basic Title VII programs examines salient program features, including grade levels served, enrollment characteristics, staff experience, and technological features of bilingual programs. A typical Title VII (Spanish-English) bilingual program is summarized. Data reveal that English is used more often than Spanish in most bilingual…

Significant questions are raised concerning the Baker/de Kanter review, which concluded that "the case for the effectiveness of transitional bilingual education is so weak that exclusive reliance on this instructional method is clearly not justified." Sources used show methodological problems and multiple examples of deficiences in nine…

Describes population programs in Afghanistan (nonformal, population education literacy program), India (problems in planning/managing population education in higher education), Indonesia (training for secondary/out-of-school inspectors), and Pakistan (integration of population education into school curricula). Programs in China, Korea, Vietnam,…

Discusses curriculum/strategies used to teach a population education course in China. Sixteen lessons (one 45-minute lesson/week) are conducted to foster correct outlook and responsible attitude toward China's population situation, thereby promoting moral, intellectual, and physical development. Population education in other courses, student…

Test items were developed to assess a child's understanding of certain mathematical concepts. The taxonomy and criteria for developing superitems are described in some detail. The developed items were tried out with students and data are given on test results. (MNS)

This study investigated the effects of specific criteria for marking a test on its reliability and validity. Eight algebra word problems were administered to grade 10 students. The objectivity of scoring criteria improved the reliability of the test, but did not affect its validity. (MNS)