BE023398: Summary Report of the Survey of the States' Limited English Proficient Students and Available Educational Programs and Services, 1997 1998.

Notes:

57 p.

Abstract:

This report summarizes information on the number of limited English proficient (LEP) students in the United States (including Freely Associated States and Insular Areas) and the educational services provided or available to them. Data are from the annual survey by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Bilingual Education and Minority Affairs about programs for LEP students. Survey responses for 1997 1998 were received from 52 states or jurisdictions. Findings show that the number of LEP students enrolled in public schools continued to increase in 1997 1998, but only slightly. The 52 states and outlying jurisdictions reported 3,452,875 LEP public school students, an increase of 1.4% over 1996 1997. As of 1997 1998, LEP students comprised 7.8% of the reported public school enrollment, with the largest number enrolled in California, followed by Texas, Florida, and New York. The highest percentages of LEP students were found in the Freely Associated States (Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau). The states with the highest percentages of LEP students were Alaska, New Mexico, California, and Texas. Some 45 state education agencies reported detailed language data, but reported data show that the great majority (78%) of LEP students claimed Spanish as their home language. The academic status of LEP students was difficult to assess comprehensively because relatively little information was provided, but, in general, survey data indicated a low dropout rate, a low rate of grade retention, and small proportions of LEP students scoring about state norms on standardized tests. Supplementary tables provide detailed survey answers, and the survey is attached. (Contains 14 tables.) (SLD)