Immigrants and Education

Data from the U.S. Department of Education

The following data are taken from The Triennial Comprehensive Report on Immigration submitted to Congress in 1999 by the U.S. Department of Justice/Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Department of Justice/Bureau of International Labor Affairs. The contribution of the U.S. Department of Education appears in Chapter 7 "Immigration and the U.S. Educational System."

The data refer to special programs primarily directed at students with English language educational needs (Limited English Proficiency - LEP). Although these LEP programs are not confined to immigrants, most of the participants in the programs are immigrants or the children of immigrants. It should be kept in mind that the $1.5 billion costs itmized below that are associated with these programs understate the educational cost outlays for immigrants and their children because they represent supplemental programs and do not include the expenditures for the general educational expenses of these students. In addition some immigrants come from English-speaking countries or have learned English on their own and need not participate in LEP programs, although they may be enrolled in other public-supported classes.

I. Programs with the primary purpose of serving LEP students:

1. Bilingual Education
   
   
   • Estimated Number of Students Served - 441,000
     
   • Estimated Cost - $156,700,000
     
   • Description: The Bilingual education program is designed to build local capacity to provide appropriate instructional services to LEP students so that these programs will continue once fedreal funds are reduced or no longer available. Grants assist school districts to establish, opreate, or improve educational programs for LEP students. Awards to institutions of higher education and others support teacher training. The estimates above represent all LEP students served by the Bilingual education program and are based on data from 1992 grantees.
   
   
2. Immigrant Education
   
   
   • Estimated Number of Students Served - 822,000
     
   • Estimated Cost - $50,000,000
     
   • Description: This program provides formula grants to States for subgrants to school districts that enroll substantial numbers of recent immigrant students. Virtually all these students are LEP persons. The student estimate is the total number of eligible immigrants reported by States in their 1995 applications.

1. Title I Grants to LEAs
   
   
   • Estimated Number of Students Served - 1,156,000
     
   • Estimated Cost - $1,144,000,000
     
   • Description: This program supports supplementary education services, provided by local school districts to children who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet State academic standards. A significant number of children served have limited proficiency in English. The dollar and child estimates are derived from 1993 program data.
   
   
2. Title I Migrant Program
   
   
   • Estimated Number of Students Served - 137,000
     
   • Estimated Cost - $76,000,000
     
   • Description: This program provides funds to States for compensatory education services to children of migrant agricultural workers and fishermen. Nearly 75 percent of all the program's participants are Hispanic and a significant number lack English proficiency. Estimates of LEP funding and of the number of LEP children served are derived from program data.
   
   
3. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Grants
   
   
   • Estimated Number of Students Served - 109,100
     
   • Estimated Cost - $46,458,000
     
   • Description: This program provides funds to States for the education of children with disabilities. Approximately 2 percent of the children served lack proficiency in English; this estimate is based on data provided in the 1990 Elementary and Secondary School Civil Rights Survey and State data for the 1992-93 school year.
   
   
4. Vocational Rehabilitation Migratory Workers Program
   
   
   • Estimated Number of Students Served - 1,400
     
   • Estimated Cost - $650,000
     
   • Description: The Migratory Workers program makes comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services available to migrant or seasonal farmworkers with vocational disabilities. Emphasis is given to outreach, specialized bilingual rehabilitation counseling, and coordination of vocational rehabilitation services with services from other sources. Most projects supported under this program serve LEP adults.
   
   
5. Vocational Education Basic State Grants
   
   
   • Estimated Number of Students Served - 332,250
     
   • Estimated Cost - $19,003,000
     
   • Description: This program assists States to expand and improve their programs of vocational education and provide equal access in vocational education to "special-needs" populations. Estimates of the number of LEP adults served are derived from State data collected by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
   
   
6. Adult Education State Programs
   
   
   • Estimated Number of Students Served - 1,300,000
     
   • Estimated Cost - $84,500,000
     
   • Description: This activity provides formula grants to States to assist educationally disadvantaged adults in developing basic literacy skills and achieving certification of high school equvalency. States are required to give special attention to the needs of LEP adults. Estimates of the number of LEP adults served are derived from State data collected by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
   
   FAIR 10/99

   ---