Major federal bilingual education programs are described, and data are presented to show the nature and extent of bilingual education activities. The report attempts to present the current estimates of the number of limited English-speaking persons who may require bilingual education and some demographic characteristics of these persons. State efforts in programs for the limited English-speaking are briefly summarized, and major court cases relating to bilingual education are listed. The following federally supported programs that contain bilingual education activities are covered: Emergency School Aid, Bilingual Vocational Training, Public Library Services, Right to Read--National Reading Improvement Programs, Special Programs for Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds, Strengthening Developing Institutions Programs, Adult Education, Migrant Education, Follow Through, and Indian Education. Additionally, Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and other legislation are described. (SW)