Second language immersion programs, originally developed in Canada some 20 years ago, have been implemented in a number of U.S. cities. Alternative forms of U.S. programs are described--enriched, magnet, and two-way bilingual--and research findings pertaining to the effectiveness of each are summarized and discussed. (Author)

A Spanish immersion program involving 11 first graders and 16 second graders is described; and the testing, progress, parent attitudes, and changes made in the program's first two years are discussed. Students' grade-equivalent scores in reading, mathematics, and language are compared with those of one other school and the district. (MSE)

A comparison was made of an early French immersion program and an English language elementary program. Major trends resulting from the comparison are summarized. Comments and criticisms are made by three guest analysts. (RM)

An analysis of SAT-9 scores since passage of Proposition 227 indicates that scores increased for all students, not just for English-learning students; scores increased for most districts regardless of the programs implemented; it was not possible to isolate the impact of Proposition 227; and SAT-9 is not an appropriate measure for assessing…

This paper summarises the key issues and challenges that have emerged from a recent major report by the authors on Maori-medium education in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The discussion is situated within a wider international analysis of bilingual/immersion programmes, including heritage language programmes for indigenous peoples. Key issues explored…

A discussion of the immersion approach to second language instruction contains: a description of the approach and its goals; a brief history of its introduction into public schools; a description of the most common immersion program designs (early total, early partial, middle or delayed, and late); a review of available information on program…

Part of the Eleventh Annual Report to the Ontario Ministry of Education, this report describes the grade and program location of students who entered kindergarten in Ottawa and Carleton, Ontario in 1974, known as the K-74 cohort. The first section of the report deals with the K-74 cohort; later sections deal with students who joined either early…

The fact that early immersion in a second language has led to bilingualism and academic success among majority language children has been used as an argument against mother tongue instruction for minority language children. However, for minority language children, immersion in a second language has often led to language loss and academic failure.…

This booklet is designed for eleven-to-fifteen year old students who are in, or who have just completed, a French immersion program. It addresses two concerns of students and their parents: (1) how well students are achieving in French, in English, in other subjects, and in their overall intellectual development; and (2) what possibilities exist…

Trends and issues in immersion programs are discussed, including the rationale behind implementation of immersion programs and attitudinal and academic differences between immersion and non-immersion students. The need for more documentation on the dynamics of the immersion classroom and the need for more cultural experiences are stressed. (MSE)

This paper examines the evidence on negative effects associated with Irish immersion programs and concludes that even in earlier immersion schools, which frequently lacked parental support, there is little evidence of detrimental academic effects. Many Irish immersion teachers emphasized the importance of parental commitment to immersion…

Analysis of Ontario standardized-test scores indicates that French-immersion students, who had lagged behind regular English-program students in grade 3, had comparable or higher achievement scores in reading, writing, and mathematics by grade 6. Little support was found for possible explanations involving selective attrition of weaker students…

Critiques the Ramirez et al. study of bilingual programs for its serious research flaws. Calls into question the findings of no consistent difference in the achievement of language-minority children regardless of how much Spanish or English is used in instruction. Proposes a reanalysis of the Ramirez data. (KS)

Several Maryland schools are experimenting with Roots and Wings, a collaborative project of Saint Mary's County Schools, the state education department, and Johns Hopkins University. Funded by the New American Schools Development Corporation, the pilot project's goals are to guarantee every child's successful completion of elementary school and to…

Compared 719 first-, second-, third-grade students enrolled in partial-immersion (PI) programs in Japanese, Spanish, or French to 3 comparison groups. Outcome measures used were a mathematics test, Metropolitan Achievement Test in Reading, and Student Oral Proficiency Rating. PI students scored at least as well as, and to some extent better than,…