101
Language Assessment BatteryLevel III (LAB III) in English and Spanish
at the beginning and close of the school year. During the research
period, this test was given to the research population in October 1981
and May 1982. This test was administered under standardized testing
conditions and was computer scored. The scores for all students were
made available to the researcher. As an added measure of Spanish-
reading ability, all bilingual students were administered the Pruebas
de Lectura, Serie Interamericana, Nivel 3, Parte 3, Nivel de Comprensin
(Inter-American Series, Reading Test, Level 3, Part 3, Reading Compre
hension). Students were allowed to use as much time as needed to complete
this reading test which was administered during April of 1982.
School Program
The bilingual program at this school consists of several components.
Instruction in the core subjects of math, science, and social studies
is provided by bilingual teachers who use the same textbooks as those
used in the regular program of the school. Explanations and review of
subject matter are provided in English and Spanish in the core classes.
Students are tested in English. During the school day, three of the
seven class periods are spent in core curriculum. An additional period
is devoted to ESL instruction. All students in the bilingual program
are required to attend these four classes and physical education. The
remaining two periods are allocated for electives such as home economics,
art, music, vocational education, and Spanish.
Before the research was undertaken, the bilingual teachers had
cautioned me that it was quite likely students and their parents would
not want to participate in the research. The teachers believed that