Book excerpt: This book introduces readers to the first publicly funded, two-way bilingual program in the United States, Coral Way Elementary School. It details the historical, social and political origins of the school; reviews the various discussions and conceptualization of the bilingual education program as a 50:50 model; and describes the training of the teachers and their work in designing curriculum for the bilingual students. Finally, it reviews whether the program was a success and outlines what lessons can be learned from the Coral Way Experiment for future bilingual programs. It is essential reading for all scholars of dual language education, for educational historians, for students of language policy and planning, and for teachers and educators who work in the context of dual language education in the US and worldwide.