The report looks at programs and approaches for educating students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. It is intended as a guide for school and district decision-makers to help them identify instructional approaches and programs appropriate to their students' needs. Four program alternatives are discussed: newcomer programs; transitional bilingual education; developmental bilingual education; and two-way immersion. Also explored are an instructional approach that can be used with all students learning through the medium of a second language regardless of program type (sheltered instruction) and foreign/second language immersion, designed for native-English-speaking students from the mainstream culture who want to acquire advanced proficiency in another language. For each program type, theoretical rationale, salient pedagogical and program features, necessary resources, and necessary local conditions are outlined, and a case study is offered. A concluding chapter addresses issues to be considered in choosing the appropriate program design. Contains 74 references. (MSE)