A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Biennial Evaluation Report - FY 93-94

Chapter 202

Bilingual Education Programs--Data Collection, Evaluation, and Research--Part B

(CFDA No. 84.194)

I. Program Profile

Legislation: Part B of the Bilingual Education Act of 1988, Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended, (20 U.S.C. 3301-3307) (expires September 30, 1999).

Purposes: To support: (1) the collection of data on the number of limited English proficient (LEP) persons, the educational services available to them and educational outcomes achieved; (2) the evaluation of Title VII program operations and effectiveness; (3) research to improve the effectiveness of bilingual education programs; and (4) the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data and information on bilingual education.

Funding History

Fiscal Year	Appropriation	Fiscal Year	Appropriation
1975	$7,830,000	1987	$10,370,000
1980	20,775,000	1988	9,928,000
1981	18,375,000	1989	10,772,000
1982	18,957,000	1990	10,838,000
1983	16,557,000	1991	11,632,000
1984	13,502,000	1992	12,000,000
1985	10,600,000	1993	10,879,000
1986	$9,991,000	1994	12,004,000

II. Program Information and Analysis

Population Targeting and Services

Population targeting and related services are presented in the discussion of Part A and Part C of Title VII.

Contracts and grants are made under Part B to support the following activities:

State Program grants are awarded to State education agencies (SEAs) to provide them assistance to collect, analyze, and report data on the LEP population and the educational services provided or available to that population. The State program grants may also be used to provide technical assistance to, and coordination with, bilingual education projects in the State. In FY 1991, the Department of Education awarded 54 State program gants (III.1).
Evaluation Assistance Centers (EACs) are supported by grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) in order to provide technical assistance to SEAs or local education agencies (LEAs) in techniques for assessing the educational progress achieved through programs such as those assisted under the Act and for identifying the educational needs and competencies of LEP students. Two Evaluation Assistance Centers were funded in FY 1991 (III.1).
The National Clearinghouse on Bilingual Education collects, analyzes, and disseminates information on bilingual education and related programs.
The Bilingual Research and Evaluation Program supports a number of studies to examine and improve the operations and effectiveness of bilingual education programs and practices. Several major research and evaluation studies funded under Part B were completed in FY 1992 including studies of the Special Alternative Instructional Program, the Family English Literacy Program, and the Special Populations Program (III.2, 3, and 4). In addition, the Innovative Approaches Research Project developed and studied model projects in science education, special education, dropout prevention and literacy. These model projects make use of common approaches, including cooperative learning techniques and culturally relevant instructional techniques (III.5). Part B funds have also supported national conferences on evaluation and measurement for LEP students, and supported collection of data on LEP students in national studies such as the National Education Longitudinal Study and "Prospects," the national longitudinal study of Chapter 1. Findings from Part B-supported studies and relevant citations are noted in Chapters 201 and 203.

Program Administration

Outcomes

Outcomes from Part B supported studies are noted in Chapters 201 and 203.

III. Sources of Information

Program files. Some additional studies conducted under Part B are listed in chapters 201 and 203.
Tikunoff, W. J., et al., A Descriptive Study of Significant Features of the Exemplary Special Alternative Instructional Program (Los Alamitos, CA: Southwest Regional Educational Laboratory, 1991).
Gunderson, D., et al., Descriptive Study of the Family English Literacy Program (Reston, VA: Atlantic Resources Corporation, 1991).
Brush, L., et al., Descriptive Evaluation of the Preschool Special Populations Program (Washington, D.C.: Pelavin Associates, Inc., 1991).
Rivera, C., et al., Innovative Approaches Research Project Draft Performance Report (Arlington, VA: Development Associates, Inc., August 1990).

IV. Planned Studies

OBEMLA sponsored studies that are recently completed or underway are noted in Chapters 201 and 203. The OBEMLA research and evaluation plan is currently being finalized.

V. Contacts for Further Information

Program Operations:: John Ovard, (202) 205-9803--State Educational Agency Program, OBEMLA
Program Studies:: Dang Pham, (202) 205-5463--Research, Evaluation Assistance Centers, Bilingual Clearinghouse, OBEMLA
Jeffery Rodamar, (202) 401-1958--Office of the Under Secretary

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[Bilingual Education Programs--Discretionary Grants to Local Education Agencies--Part A]

[Bilingual Education Programs--Training and Technical Assistance--Part C]