Summary View help for Summary
The purpose of this data collection was to provide estimates of the number of children in the United States with limited English proficiency from non-English backgrounds by state and by language. Tests of proficiency in reading, understanding, and producing English were administered to both adults and children from English and non-English language backgrounds. Characteristics such as age, sex, race, household relationship, Spanish origin, languages spoken at home, proficiency in speaking English, school enrollment, highest grade completed, country of birth, and parents' country of birth are shown for each person in the household enumerated. In addition, information is provided on household income and language usually spoken by that household.
Citation View help for Citation
Funding View help for Funding
Subject Terms View help for Subject Terms
Geographic Coverage View help for Geographic Coverage
Distributor(s) View help for Distributor(s)
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Date of Collection View help for Date of Collection
Data Collection Notes View help for Data Collection Notes
Detailed information on the sample design of this study and on the reliability of the sample estimates is included in the documentation.
Sample View help for Sample
Housing units were selected using a multi-stage, stratified probability sample. Within sampled households, pre-specified procedures were used to select one or more individuals to be tested for English language proficiency. Children over the age of five as well as adults were eligible for selection.
Universe View help for Universe
The civilian noninstitutional population of the United States living in housing units and male members of the Armed Forces living in civilian housing units on a military base or in a household not on a military base.
Data Source View help for Data Source
personal interviews, and proficiency tests
Method of Data Collection View help for Method of Data Collection
Original Release Date View help for Original Release Date
Version History View help for Version History
- United States. Bureau of the Census. English Language Proficiency Study (ELPS), 1982: [United States]. ICPSR08974-v1. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 1988. http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR08974.v1
Data in this collection are available only to users at ICPSR member institutions.
- The citation of this study may have changed due to the new version control system that has been implemented.
This study is provided by ICPSR. ICPSR provides leadership and training in data access, curation, and methods of analysis for a diverse and expanding social science research community.