Each year, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) informs policymakers and practitioners of what children know and are able to do when they start formal education in kindergarten. This report, which is unique in its kind nationally, provides a profile of children's skill levels as they enter school based on the evaluation of their…

This regional dossier aims to provide concise, descriptive information and basic educational statistics about minority language education in a specific region of Europe--the Northern Basque country. Aspects that are addressed include features of the education system, recent educational policies, main actors, legal arrangements, and support…

On behalf of a national committee advising the Australian Minister of Education, two consultants prepared separate evaluations of language policy statements from the states of Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. The three statements all support the teaching of languages other than English (LOTEs) in the public school system, but differ…

Complains that no one learns a second language from studying it at school. Attributes this problem to the fact that no opportunity exists for conversation to reinforce what is being learned. Suggests working in rotated pairs to provide conversational practice. Calls for bilingual texts and lessons and for taking advantage of having bilingual…

The draft version of South Carolina's state foreign language curriculum for elementary and secondary schools is presented. It begins by discussing the rationale for foreign/second language education, focusing on economic, cultural, intellectual reasons for studying languages and examining enrollment patterns and trends in the state. The second…

This digest provides general information on the characteristics of English language learners (ELLs) in U.S. preschool and primary school programs and describes learning conditions and instructional practices that are most effective for educating young ELLs. The digest suggests that as young ELLs enroll in preschool and primary school programs in…

This practitioner issue brief outlines successful strategies and recommendations for state-level policymakers, administrators, schools, and districts that are based on a 5-year evaluation study on the learning environment for ELLs in the state of California. This brief offers four critical building blocks that should be in place to effectively…

A rationale for providing foreign language instruction for gifted students is presented, noting the benefits of second language learning at an early age and the need to train future leaders in critical international and intercultural skills. Methods of fostering foreign language mastery are discussed. (JDD)

In the chapters presented in this volume, leading experts describe some of the assessment challenges in greater detail and provide federal recommendations on how to address them. In "College and Work Readiness as a Goal of High Schools: The Role of Standards, Assessments, and Accountability," John Tanner of the Center for Innovative Measures at…

This paper is an overview of 64 documents on multicultural education policies from various Australian state education bodies during the period 1979 to 1985. In comparisons between states and across time, these policies are marked by inconsistency in form, scope, status, and content. States vary considerably on: (1) whether English as a second…

Each edition of the IDRA Newsletter strives to provide many different perspectives on the issues in education topics discussed and to define its significance in the state and national dialogue. This issue focuses on Enlightened Public Policy and includes: (1) Texas Education Policy: Prospects for 2009 (Albert Cortez); (2) Bilingual Education in…

This report describes patterns of continuity and change among spring 2004 high school seniors from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002) first follow-up study, spring 1992 seniors from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) second follow-up study, spring 1980 seniors from the High School and Beyond (HS&B)…

This paper provides an overview of U.S. Department of Education programs authorized and funded under federal law. It includes information as well on the laboratories, centers, and other facilities funded by the Department that provide important resources for education. Readers will find funding information, contact information, and a web site for…

The educational systems and requirements of Japan and Kentucky are compared in seven different areas. The first area compares total instruction days and illustrates the differences with a chart. Kentucky requires 175 days of instruction while Japan requires 240 days. Because of this Japanese students spend 150 to 300 more hours per year in school…

Maintains that Switzerland's national spirit lies in cultural and linguistic diversity. Proposes a "Ten Commandments of Multilingualism" for Swiss citizens who share this core principle of national identity. Concludes that Swiss should be happy and proud to have a nation based on cultural diversity. (CFR)