Bilingual education is commonly defined as instruction provided in two languages. However, this simple definition is misleading since the concept of bilingual education is much more complex. For example, bilingual education may target English Language Learners (ELLs) and/or native English speakers. Moreover, the goal of the bilingual programs varies depending on the instructional model. This entry focuses on bilingual education in K-12 schools within the United States. The topic of bilingual education is particularly relevant to education economics and finance when considering funding implications of providing bilingual education to ELLs. Bilingual programs primarily serve ELLs, thus the federal government and most states allocate additional funding to serve the needs of this growing student population. This entry begins with a brief history of bilingual education outlining ...