For decades, immigrant children have been taught in their native languages in schools across the country while slowly and simultaneously receiving English as a second language. But like anything, bilingual education is not without its flaws. In fact, it's plagued with them. After many years of bilingual education in the United States, one thing is certain: it does not work, and it is failing America's immigrant youth.
             The idea behind bilingual education is that students be taught "academic subjects" such as math, geography, and science. Students learn English as a second language and learn all other subjects in their native language so that, in theory, they can keep up with their English- speaking peers. After five to seven years the time the students are transitioned into classes which are taught in English . This is, of course, how bilingual education should work in theory. This is not, however, the case. Critics of bilingual education say that the objectives of the classes are confused, the quality of instruction is poor, and the transition time, when students transition into regular classes, is slowly.
             Critics believe that the goals of bilingual education have been forgotten and replaced with the need to preserve native culture and traditions. In fact, the major defense from advocates of bilingual education is that there is nothing wrong with preserving children's ethnic and linguistic heritage.
             It is important to have an understanding of English when living in the United States, after all, according to the 1990 census, 94 percent of U. S. residents speak it, to some degree. One cannot learn English, however if one does not stay in school. Unfortunately, a recent national study found that students enrolled in bilingual programs dropped out earlier. Also, the percentage of students who make the transition from bilingual to regular classes is very low. Last year in California, for example, on
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