Management and Organizational Structure in University Bilingual Education Programs: A National Survey of Title VII

Abstract

This article describes characteristics of the management and organizational structure of bilingual education (BE) academic degree (doctoral, master, and bachelor) programs in colleges and universities. The data on program management were gathered as part of a largescale study of the preparation of bilingual education personnel sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education under the Title VII (Elementary and Secondary Education Act), Part C Research Agenda. The sample consisted of 95 programs in 56 colleges and universities that were selected to be representative of the national population of institutions with bilingual education programs. The majority of the programs were funded by Title VII. Data were collected primarily through semi-structured interviews conducted on site with administrators, faculty, and students. Descriptive data regarding structural organization include: the location of programs, departments used for required courses, and relationships among departments. The role of director and faculty in program operations was examined. Funding issues examined include the allocation of funds and the relationship between funding and student enrollment. Finally, an analysis was performed of the potential for institutionalization of each program. The study results provide national baseline data on management features of bilingual education programs and can be used as a frame of reference for future studies.