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Public schools across the country are increasingly working with children who enter schools speaking a language other than English. Using a case study methodology, the authors examined Dual Language Program (DLP) implementation in Arizona, which by law supports English-only education. Several benefits (bilingualism, bi-literacy, biculturalism, globalization) and challenges (curriculum, teachers, state policy, funding, and lack of access to DLPs for minority language students) are highlighted from stakeholder perspectives. Participants in this study described the paradox of excluding ELLs from dual language programs as inefficient, unnecessary, and wrong. Taking Interest Convergence as a theoretical framework to understand the Arizona context regarding English-only education, this study raises implications for research and practice.

Operating from intersecting theories of validation, marginality, and mattering, this phenomenological study investigated undocumented student support services from the perspective of 49 Undocumented Student Resource Center (USRC) practitioners. In-depth interviews highlighted the ways that USRC practitioners served as validating agents, directly transmitting or negotiating the transmission of institutional resources and services for undocumented students. USRC practitioners engaged in complex multisector work; relatability, validation, and empowerment strategies; and holistic approaches toward student support. Their narratives evidence best practices in undocumented student support services and contribute to the generation of practice-related opportunities across higher education institutions. This study raises implications for higher education research and practice.

The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a competency-based approach to designing and assessing master's level professional preparation programs in the field of higher education administration. Given the absence of a universal set of competencies defined for HEA master's degree programs, the authors draw from the CAHEP (2010) and Wright (2007) general guidelines for HEA graduate programs, and the literature pertaining to graduate competencies and outcomes that are specific to early career student affairs positions. The competency-based approach described here contributes to the literature on competency-based assessment models for master's level graduate programs, and has utility for faculty and administrators seeking to assess professional master's programs, especially those that lack nationally defined standards or certification.

This longitudinal study investigated the outcomes of DREAMzone, an educational intervention designed to prepare higher education professionals to respond to the presence and needs of undocumented students. Qualitative surveys were administered to DREAMzone participants at three different time points (post-, 2-months, and 8-months). Five outcomes were salient within and across time points: awareness, knowledge, skills, contact, and self-efficacy. Findings from this study demonstrate efficacy in the delivery of DREAMzone and raise implications for institutions of higher education.

DREAMzone is an educational intervention designed to increase higher education professionals' competency and self-efficacy for working with undocumented students. Grounded in social learning theory, we developed the DREAMer-ally instrument to investigate the effects of DREAMzone on DREAMer-ally competency and self-efficacy. Findings support the notion that DREAMzone positively improves participants' DREAMer-ally competency and self-efficacy. This study serves as one of the first to provide evidence supporting educational interventions aimed at improving undocumented students' higher education experiences.

Participation in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and AP test-taking are widely viewed as indicators of students' college readiness. We analyzed enrollment in AP courses and AP test outcomes in Arizona to document disparities in students' access to rigorous curricula in high school and outline some implications of these patterns for education stakeholders. Findings suggest that although 80% of high schools in Arizona offered at least one AP course, the total number of AP courses offered varied considerably across schools. Small schools and schools that served higher percentages of minority students were less likely to offer a wide range of AP courses than large schools and schools with majority White student populations. Although Hispanic students were underrepresented in AP courses, they had the highest test-taking rate. Only a third of the Hispanic students who took AP courses passed the AP test.

This article provides an analysis of Arizona's policy response in educating English language learners by conducting a narrative review. A critical Latina/o theory approach was used to analyze the data. This study reveals 5 salient policy responses: (a) severely limit bilingual education, (b) develop controversial funding solutions, (c) implement a segregated 4-hr English language development block, (d) mandate structured English immersion-focused teacher preparation, and (e) develop disputed identification and classification instruments. The available data suggest that these policies have negatively impacted the educational experience and academic attainment of English language learners.