Selection Criteria

The following criteria were extensive. Not all programs showed evidence of every element. All these elements were included because programs may have evinced success in different ways. It was essential to demonstrate that students were showing satisfactory performance in school measured in either language.

Our criteria for selection were based on the quality of the:

• Students' outcomes such as: demonstrated success in academic achievement, language proficiency, and other outcome areas, such as high graduation/ promotion rate, successful participation in extracurricular activities (i.e. science fairs, writing contests, etc.), high daily attendance rate, successful transition into mainstream classes, low suspension rate, and high attendance at post-secondary education.
• School or program outcomes such as: students' and staff attitudes toward American and other cultures; students' demonstrated ability to function in both American and native cultures; community benefits from partnerships including bilingual students' families; and the involvement of bilingual students' families in the students' educational goals.
• Community response to the school or program such as: being well known and recognized as highly successful by parents, community leaders, teachers, administrators, and professional organizations.

Selection Process

The program director reviewed nominations to determine if they fulfilled the eligibility criteria. If they did, the information in the nomination was checked for completeness using the Selection Criteria Check List included below. More information was requested of incomplete nominations. Complete nominations were sent to two judges. Programs were notified of the results. Approved programs appear in the Web site.

Selection Criteria Check List

The most important criteria are those listed in the first section. Sections 2 -4 include a variety of items that may additionally support a program's nomination. Schools/programs were not expected to show evidence of all of them but include as much as available.

1. Students' academic outcomes
     (Test results must include an explanation)

1.1  Demonstrated success in academic achievement (measured in either or both languages)

1.1.1  Performance of students in bilingual program

1.1.2  Performance of students in school building or district

1.2  Demonstrated success in language proficiency

1.2.1  English

Performance of students in bilingual program

Performance of students in school building or district

1.2.2  Other language (optional)

Performance of students in bilingual program

2. Students' other outcomes

2.1  promotion rate

2.2  successful participation in extracurricular activities (i.e. science fairs, writing contests, etc.)

2.3  high daily attendance rate

2.4  successful transition into mainstream classes (if applicable)

2.5  low suspension rate

2.6  students' demonstrated ability to function in both American and native cultures

    For high school only:

2.7  high graduation rate

2.8  high attendance at post-secondary education

2.9  low dropout rate

3. School or program outcomes

3.1  Demonstration of a multicultural environment in the school

3.2  Schools successfully involved bilingual students' families in the students' educational goals.

3.3  Community benefited from the school and bilingual program.

4. Community response to the school or program

4.1  School and/or program were well known and recognized as highly successful by:

4.1.1  parents

4.1.2  community leaders

4.1.3  teachers

4.1.4  administrators

4.1.5  researchers/higher education

4.1.6  professional organizations.

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