Dr. Leo Gómez - Professor
Bilingual/Bicultural Education
College of Education - The University of Texas Pan American

Dr. Leo Gómez has served as a faculty member in Bilingual-Bicultural Education at the University of Texas Pan American (UTPA) since August 1994. He received his B. A. Degree in Secondary Education from Pan American University, M. A. Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from The University of Texas Pan American, and Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Bilingual/ESL/Multicultural Education from Texas A&M University.

Over the last 16 years, he has focused his research and other scholarly work on linguistic and academic issues that affect language minority populations, particularly Spanish dominant bilingual learners. He has conducted countless state and national presentations as well as published numerous articles on the educational benefits of dual language education, advocating the need for schools to implement enrichment dual language models of bilingual education that not only more effectively educates Bilingual Learners (commonly referred to as LEP or ELL), but all children. He is widely known and respected as a leader in the field both at the state and national level for making an impact in the field, ensuring that a majority of Latino students are provided an equal educational opportunity that significantly reduces the drop-out rate and prepares them for post-secondary education. His most recent publications include:

• Estrada, V., Gómez, L. & Ruiz-Escalante, J. (2009). Let’s make dual language the norm. Educational Leadership, 66, (7) April 2009.
  
  
• Hill, S., Gómez, R., & Gómez, L. (2008). What a difference a year makes: A large urban school district’s transformation from remedial to enrichment dual language education. The Journal of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education, Fall 2008.
  
  
• Ruiz-Escalante, J., Gómez, L. & Menchaca-Ochoa, V. (2006). A judicial and legislative perspective of bilingual education. Catalyst for Change: Journal of the National School Development Council, 29, (2) Summer 2006.
  
  
• Gómez, L. & Ruiz-Escalante, J. (2005). Achieving equity through enrichment bilingual education. In M. Littleton, A. Pankake, & Schroth (Eds.) Administration and Supervision of Special Programs. Debuque, Iowa: Kendall Hunt.
  
  
• Gómez, L., Freeman, Y., & Freeman, D. (2005). Dual language education: A promising 50-50 dual language model. Bilingual Research Journal, 29(1).
                 
• Alecio-Lara, R., Galloway, M., Irby, B. J., Gómez, L., Rodriguez, L. (2004). Two-way immersion programs in Texas, Bilingual Research Journal, 28(1).



• Valerio, M., Gómez, L., Gómez, R. (2001). Attitudinal shifts of teachers implementing a two- way bilingual education program. The Journal of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education, Spring 2001.



• Gómez, L. (2000). Two-Way bilingual education: Promoting educational and social change. The Journal of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education, 5 (1), Spring 2000.



• Gómez, R. & Gómez, L. (1999). Supporting dual CALP development among second language learners: The two-way model revisited. Educational Considerations Journal, 26(2) Spring 1999.

               
Throughout his professional career, Dr. Gómez has been extensively involved in the development, implementation and assessment of one-way & two-way dual language programs implementing a 50/50 Dual Language Enrichment (DLE) Model he co-developed in 1995. The consistent implementation of this DLE model has proven effective in improving the long-term academic and linguistic achievement (based on standardized test results in reading, mathematics and science) of Spanish and English dominant students across the state of Texas and other states. Today, the Gómez & Gómez 50/50 DLE Model is being successfully implemented in over 60 school districts representing over 440 elementary schools across four states: Texas, Washington, Nevada, and Kansas. In Texas alone, this model is being implemented in 417 elementary schools. He has secured, administered and evaluated a number of Title I, II, III, & VII state and federal grants totaling over $15 million for UTPA and public schools.

As an example, Dr. Gómez has provided guidance and support since 1995 to the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, as this district has continued providing a dual language education to students at the secondary level developing a MS & HS DLE model for them to follow. In the spring 2009, the first of seven (7) cohorts of students graduated from high school having received a dual language education since kindergarten! As of spring 2009, there are over 1000 students continuing a dual language education at the secondary level (MS & HS). This is a historic event for South Texas, the state of Texas and the country. South Texas and UTPA are at the forefront. Educators from across the country have and continue to visit this area to learn of the progressive education and accomplishments.

Dr. Leo Gómez has also engaged in impacting state of Texas policy changes in bilingual education. In 1999, he founded the South Texas Dual Language Consortium, made up of practicing DLE educators with the goal of promoting and supporting DLE for schools in South Texas. Similarly, in December of 2000, he established the Texas Dual Language Consortium with the same goals, but for statewide impact. He serves as Executive Director.

In 2001-2002, he served as President of the Rio Grande Valley/Texas Association for Bilingual Education (RGV/TABE). He also served as a member of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE) Executive Board from 2001 - 2007. In 2005-2006, Dr. Gómez served as President of TABE and he was involved in promoting state legislation that created a bill for dual language immersion in Texas that passed unanimously in 2001, and in addition, was engaged in the crafting of TEA DLE guidelines for dual language program implementation in Texas that were finally adopted in 2007. In 2005-2006, Dr. Gómez served as President of TABE and conducted educational forums across the state of Texas providing much needed knowledge on quality bilingual education to district and community leaders. Through his leadership, TABE developed and submitted to state policy-makers and education leaders at TEA the nine-point TABE Plan for Improving the Education of ELLs in Texas that subsequently aided in the passing of historic bilingual education legislation in Texas in 2008. This legislation advocates and supports equitable education for ELLs by disaggregating ELL data by type of program served. This allows the state to identify and support quality enrichment bilingual education programs that work and work toward the elimination of those that do not.

Dr. Leo Gómez now serves as Treasurer of the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Executive Board for 2009-2010. As a NABE Executive Board member through 2011, his efforts will include the promotion of one-way dual language nationally. NABE provides direction and guidance to national leaders related to federal policy that would positively impact quality and equitable education for Bilingual Learners.