The minority-student population of Florida is rapidly increasing, to the point that minorities now represent 40 percent of the nearly 2 million public school students. All indications are that this trend will continue. Many of these students have a limited English proficiency (LEP), and most LEP students are Hispanic Americans. To educate these students more effectively, the Florida Department of Education has developed a set of programs known as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). The study described assesses the academic performance of the public school population, emphasizing the achievements of Hispanic and LEP students who have participated in ESOL programs. Results show clearly that Florida's programs are not meeting the needs of the majority of its Hispanic and LEP students. A survey of 350 randomly selected public school teachers ascertained their opinions of the state's efforts to obtain recommendations for improving education for Hispanic and LEP students. The political environment of Florida appears right for serious consideration of proposals for educational reform in Florida and the nation. Two tables and 11 figures provide information about Hispanic students. (Contains 27 references.) (SLD)