Educational Trajectories of Latino English Language Learner Students in Dual-Language Programs

The purpose of this research is to examine the language proficiency and reading achievement trajectories of 2201 fourth- through eighth-grade students who differed by English language proficiency and were enrolled in a dual language program. Results showed that: 1) students achieved average in Spanish reading achievement and at similar levels in English as their English mainstream ELL peers; 2) students in the four English language proficiency groups varied significantly in all outcome measures in English and Spanish (FEP\u3eAdvanced\u3eIntermediate\u3eBeginner) by upper, but not K/1 entry, grades; and 3) examining students’ trajectories shows the importance of Bilingual, not just English, proficiency at school entry and the impact of Spanish reading on English reading in grades 3 and 5-8