Bilingual education programs have been implemented for decades. Non-English speaking

students in bilingual education programs, however, have shown no academic or social

improvement compared to similar students in English-only schools. The disadvantages of

bilingual education programs outnumber the advantages. In addition, recent statistics suggest the

need for reconstruction of the present bilingual education programs.

Schools began teaching academics in languages other than English as early as the 1700's,

but not until the 1960's did society recognize the hundreds of thousands of non-English speaking

students struggling in the current system. Before that time, immigrants were enrolled in

non-English schools. The fight for a bilingual education program started during the Civil Rights

Movement. Immigrants, especially Latin and Mexican Americans, observed the progress that

African Americans were making and decided to fight for "equal education." More than 50

percent of Spanish speaking students were dropping out of school each year. The schools found a

definite need for intervention. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Bil

order to strengthen the rights of non-English speaking students. This act ruled that public schools

Latinos in bilingual education programs have statistics similar to those of students in English-only

students to be enrolled in classes in which nearly all the instruction is in English. Ben Wildavsky,

programs, and the programs have not shown to work successfully (Streisand).

their children remained segregated in bilingual education programs for three to six years despite

must provide programs for students who speak little or no English. Rosalie Porter, author of

the results seen from bilingual education are not as positive as one would expect.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2546
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)