Riley Endorses 'Dual Immersion' Programs

By Joetta L. Sack

Washington

In his first comprehensive address on Hispanic education during his seven years in office, Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley last week promoted a bilingual teaching strategy intended to help students learn two languages at the same time.

So-called dual-immersion programs, in which native English-speaking and non- English-speaking students learn together in the same class, are an idea whose time has come in a global economy, Mr. Riley said.

Mr. Riley also called on schools and communities to work to close the achievement gap between Hispanic students and their peers by using early-intervention strategies and better teacher training. He used the address, titled "Excelencia Para Todos—Excellence for All: The State of Hispanic Education and Challenges of a New Century," to point out what he believes are best practices and research to help guide schools that are struggling to educate a growing...