Assessment and Relative Effects of Reading Programs for Mexican Americans. A Position Paper.

The problem of teaching reading in English to Mexican American children with Spanish as their primary language is considered in this paper. Literature reviews are done on research dealing with (1) linguistics, (2) language-modification approaches, (3) linguistic approaches, (4) language-experience approaches, (5) bilingual education, and (6) teacher-school factors. Conclusions on the basis of research in these 6 areas are given. Also given are implications and specific directions for (1) basic research in language and reading processes, (2) normative descriptive studies of processes involved in reading, (3) pre-school educational research and leadership, (4) research in the teaching of English as a second language and bilingual education systems, and (5) basic and applied research into current school practices, conditions, and possible promising innovations. An 88-item bibliography is appended. (NQ)