Federal law does not mandate a right to bilingual education. These programs need not be bilingual. On the other hand, some states require that certain children be taught bilingually for some period of time or until the children reach a certain level of proficiency in English. Learning English is very important, but learning content is equally important. Children who are faced with having to negotiate both a new language and new content knowledge are faced with a much greater task than children who have already mastered the language of instruction.
Bilingual education allows children to learn English and prevents their falling behind academically.
While bilingual education may not be right for all children and families, research demonstrates that these programs are very effective when properly implemented. There are more people in the U.S. who speak Spanish than any other language except English. It is also the language of the hemisphere since more people speak Spanish in the Western Hemisphere than speak English. In the next century, many jobs and other opportunities will go to people who are biliterate in English and Spanish. Yes, often it does.