This article examines how high-stakes testing policies can constrain the way teachers at predominately Latina/o high schools teach literacy and subsequently influence the success of Latina/o students at college. It is based on a year and a half study of seven Latina/o students making transition from a high school to a community college or…

Preparing teachers to meet the educational needs of bilingual Latino students in U.S. schools has been termed a demographic imperative. This study explored 57 U.S. teachers' reactions and reflections to participation in a simulation experience held during a teaching/learning experience in Mexico as part of their master's program in bilingual/ESL…

This article explains two components in the review process of a university's principal preparation program. A superintendents' focus group session and an analysis of other universities' program profiles revealed a need to eliminate dated courses, include certification in the degree requirements, update the program curriculum with best practice,…

This study examined the differences in perceptions of barriers in education among Latinos in the United States based on the level of linguistic acculturation, generational status, academic achievement, and socioeconomic status of the participants. This study used data from the Pew Hispanic Research Center. Results indicated that later-generation…

Research examined the influence of native vocabulary development on cross-language transfer of phonemic awareness. Participants were Spanish-speaking kindergartners learning English in immersion classrooms. Results indicated that limited Spanish vocabulary development negatively influenced cross-language transfer of phonemic awareness to English.…

The number of students who speak languages other than English continues to grow in both rural and urban public schools in the United States. Teachers are challenged to accommodate the diverse needs of English language learners (ELLs). This exploratory study investigated the perceptions of eleven teachers from a rural public elementary school in…

According to the Institute of Medicine, health care access is defined as "the degree to which people are able to obtain appropriate care from the health care system in a timely manner." Two key components of health care access are medical insurance and having access to a usual source of health care. Recent national data show that 34% of Latino…

This article explores language assessments and policies that Latino students and others from immigrant backgrounds face as they graduate from high school and attempt to enter community colleges. Focusing on California, the authors examine the assumptions that underlie these assessments and policies. They argue that the policies signal different…

Results from a qualitative study on the effects of service learning on preservice teacher development in working with culturally diverse learners, specifically within the context of bilingual education and teachers of English as a second language, are discussed. Data were gathered from course reflection papers and participant interviews of college…

Ten Hispanic university students enrolled in higher education courses were interviewed and considered successful despite the lack of support they received in learning English during their primary and secondary education. Analysis of the questionnaires and personal interviews reveal four major types of mentors who supported and motivated them to…

This article discusses the qualitative study of a bilingual teacher's practice in working with a student with a learning disability. The author first examines student demographics as they specifically relate to the achievement of Latino school children and then segues to an examination of the nature of instruction provided to English language…

This study analyzes the goals and realities of four educated, working, adult Latina, English as a Second language (ESL) students living in North Carolina, a region seeing particularly intense migration of Latino immigrants. The study conceptually frames adjustment issues confronted by these Latina immigrants in terms of gender, language,…

Individual (e.g., depression, learning styles) and familial (e.g., social support) factors affecting the psychosocial well-being of bilingual, rural Nebraska, paraprofessional educators were examined. Of 26 participants, 15 were first and 5 were second generation Hispanic immigrants. All were currently (n= 20) or formerly (n= 6) involved in an…

The shortage of teachers in pre-K-12 schools includes a serious shortage of bilingual teachers. Based on the findings of several research studies, the authors suggest that Hispanic bilingual adults in communities with populations of pre-K-12 students who are English-language learners are an untapped resource. The authors offer suggestions for…

First-year research conducted by the authors of a 3-year, cross-cultural, professional development project involving English-as-a-Foreign Language (EFL) teachers at a private pre-K-12 school in central Mexico. Findings indicate that key elements of the integrative-systematic approach - developed to respond to the combined need for equity and…