Implementation of Bilingual and ESL Education Policy in Texas: Geographic and Ethnic Variation

• In Event: 26.080 - Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: 26.080-19 - Evolution of Language in Education Policy in Four States/Regions

Abstract

Texas education law provides school districts six program options for approaching the education of its numerous English language learners (ELL). This study employed geographic information systems (GIS) analysis to investigate the geographic locations of particular programs and the demographics of students served by each. Choropleth maps showed the geographic distribution of bilingual/ESL programs in Texas, with patterns indicating that districts with high percentages of student enrollment in one-way dual language programs tend to be located in and near major metropolitan areas, whereas many school districts along the Texas-Mexico border tend to offer early exit transitional bilingual programs. Despite the literature on bilingual/ESL program effectiveness, the most predominant program in the border region is among the least beneficial to ELLs.

Author

• Kathryn Dixon, Texas A&M University - Commerce