Gershberg (management and urban policy, New School U., New York City), Danenberg (Public Policy Institute of California), and Sánchez (bicultural-bilingual studies, U. of Texas, San Antonio) report findings from a study of elementary and middle school English language learners (ELL) and recent immigrant students in five large urban districts--Fresno, Long Beach, L. A., San Diego, and San Francisco. The authors present a statistical profile of these students and analyze interviews with school and district staff, which highlight the obstacles to success the students must overcome, the differences in the ELL and immigrant student experiences, and the issues faced by the schools and district staff providing their education. For scholars, students, educators, and policymakers. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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The United States has a long record of ambivalence toward recent immigrants. Nowhere is this love-hate relationship more evident than in the public school systems of high-immigration states like California, where pro- and anti-immigration advocates have waged a long-running battle over “bilingual” education versus “English immersion” programs. Unfortunately, this fierce political debate does not always acknowledge day-to-day reality in the schools, and the policies that result may ultimately hinder the schools and students they intend to help. Beyond Bilingual Education cuts through the politics, offering a statistical portrait of English language learners in five large California school districts and highlighting the results of more than 120 interviews conducted with teachers, school administrators, and community service providers about the challenges facing recent immigrants and the schools that serve them. This combined approach yields essential intelligence for policymakers, advocates, and administrators seeking to escape the trap of immigration politics. It is a vital perspective, because how our schools receive, treat, and educate these future workers will directly affect our country's economic and social health and progress.
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