Book Description

These hearing transcripts present testimony concerning the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) Act, focusing on the English as a Second Language (ESL) and bilingual education provisions and implications of the act. Much of the testimony was from representatives, educators, and community leaders who voiced opinions about the efficacy of specific programs and activities funded by the Bilingual Education Act, a component of the ESE Act, particularly those items that they would like to see expanded, reformed, or improved. Testimony was heard from: (1) Representatives Toby Roth, Jose Serrano, Xavier Becerra, Bill Emerson, and Gene Green; (2) the president of the National Association for Bilingual Education; (3) a researcher in bilingual education; (4) an ESL program consultant; (5) a university professor; (6) the president of Learning English Advocates Drive; (7) an advocate of teaching English to limited English proficient (LEP) students in regular classrooms; (8) a medical doctor who attended bilingual classes as a secondary school student; (9) an advocate of reforming the Bilingual Education Act to emphasize the learning of English; (10) the Rural Alliance for Newcomers in Midwestern Schools; and (11) an advocate of English immersion programs for LEP students. (MDM)