This study investigates the development of bilingual education in California along with the impact of federal legislation and seeks to evolve a descriptive definition of term "bilingual education" in terms of programs for Mexican Americans in the state. Bilingual programs in the United States and typologies for bilingual programs are discussed for background information. The author considers 23 of the 26 bilingual programs in California on the basis of objectives, participants, curriculum, methods and materials, teachers and teacher training, and community involvement. In light of his findings, the author presents a classification of current programs and discusses implications for further investigations. A list of references is included along with the questionnaire used in the survey of current programs and the questions used in interviews with program directors. A list of state programs, their directors, and locations is provided. (VM)