Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center; full text release delayed at author's request until 2006 Jun 2.

O objeto de pesquisa deste trabalho é mostrar as possibilidades de conhecer o processo de desenvolvimento de uma proposta de alfabetização, com ênfase no aprendizado bilíngue e a inserção destas na escola na classe de alfabetização. Diante desta realidade, a escola juntamente com os seus professores, deve pensar a alfabetização como processo dinâmico, ampliar o universo de conhecimento, oferecendo formas variadas de aprendizagem sem desconsiderar a sua faixa etária e a influência dos meios tecnológicos para o aprendizado bilíngue. / The research object of this paper is to show the possibilities of knowing the process of developing a proposal for a literacy, with emphasis on learning and inclusion the these school bilingual in the literacy class. Front of this reality, the school with their teachers, should think of literacy as a dynamic process expand the universe of knowledge offering various forms of learning without disregarding their age and the influence of technological means for learning bilingual.

This research aimed to describe, understand, and discuss the curriculum development process of a Brazilian-Portuguese heritage language community-based school in South Florida. This study was guided by the following research questions: (a) What roles does this HL community-based school aim to play for its students? This investigation was also related to the subsidiary question: (b) How does this HL community-based school organize its curriculum development process? In order to explore these research questions, I observed and interviewed teachers and coordinators based on a qualitative research approach. I analyzed the interviews’ transcripts, and the program’s website with a central focus of describing and understanding their curriculum development process. Hopefully, the findings will help Brazilian and other HL community schools toward discussing and elaborating their own curriculum development, as well as to look for specific teacher training courses.