A study of Texas high school students who are native speakers of Spanish with high levels of language ability was undertaken on the assumptions that (1) a large number existed, (2) bilingual schooling may have increased the prevalence of these individuals, and (3) from academic and professional points of view, these abilities might be used more effectively for the benefit of the students and society. Tests and surveys in 1977 and 1985 indicate that a number of students who had never taken Spanish courses in school had advanced Spanish language skills, suggesting that tests of language students might not be the most effective means of finding individuals with advanced skills. It is recommended that students with highly developed Spanish language abilities be identified in high school by testing all students with any Spanish skills with a brief standardized vocabulary test. Universities should be encouraged to recruit these students and develop their language skills, possibly by offering college credit for advanced Spanish courses taken before college entrance. Their objective should be developing this largely wasted intellectual resource. (MSE)