We often hear about LEP children who learned English virtually overnight, with little or no special help, and went on to succeed academically and professionally. A few of these anecdotes usually told by proud relatives may even be true. Numerous scientific studies, however, have shown that such students are the exception, not the rule. Research leaves no doubt that, without special help, a large majority of LEP students will fall behind and stay behind their English-speaking peers. Students vary in their backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles and so do effective programs for serving them.
Fluent bilingualism provides life-long social, cultural, economic, and intellectual advantages.
Instead of cutting off their native-language development and thereby disrupting their cognitive growth, bilingual education enables students to progress normally in academic subjects while they acquire a second language. Public schools are not the only means of cultivating language skills, of course. If parents are well-educated, LEP students can get help with school work. If homes are well-stocked with books, children can benefit from free reading. Such children are likely to come from poor homes with few books in any language and without family members who can offer tutoring.