-
Meyer v. Nebraska
A Supreme Court case that ruled the 1919 Nebraska Law that prohibited foreign language education was unconstitutional. This ruling allowed languages other than English to be taught, spoken, and utilized in schools. This is an important case that allows education to be wider and also allows EL students to be allowed in schools to be taught English as well as keeping their native language. -
Farrington v. Tokushige
This Supreme Court case ruled that a ban on teaching a foreign language without a permit in the (at the time) territory of Hawaii was unconstitutional. This ruling allows foreign languages to be taught in schools and much like the Meyer v Nebraska case, it allows EL students to be taught english with the help of their native language. This ruling, along with previous rulings, lays a groundwork for having no official language of the United States. -
The Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
This law funded primary and secondary education. It also emphasized equal access to education and established standards and accountability for the schools. The law was a part of Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" agenda. The point of the law was to close the education gap of lower income children in math and reading. Later amendments would include equal access for children with disabilities and children who are English Language Learners. -
The Bilingual Education Act (Title VII)
This law was an amendment to the ESEA to include equal access to education for English Language Learners. Originally created to help Spanish speaking students, the law was then changed to add all languages other than English. The law was a large step forward for the children who were limited in their education by the language barrier. -
Lau v Nichols
This Supreme Court case ruled that the lack of supplemental language instruction in public schools for children with limited english proficiency was against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This was the start of English as a Second Language programs. The ruling was to give the EL students a meaningful education. -
Equal Educational Opportunities Act (EEOA)
Leading off the Las v Nichols Supreme Court case this legislation passed to create equal opportunities for all students regardless of race, color, or national origin. The law was an amendment to the ESEA. The main purpose of the law was to stop segregation in schools and to have every student afforded a meaningful education. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA is a law that sets six elements to ID children with disabilities, put a plan in place, and to follow up with the student's family to ensure the plan is upheld: Individualized Education Program (IEP); Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE); Least Restrictive Environment (LRE); Appropriate Evaluation; Parent and Teacher Participation; and Procedural Safeguards. Part B of this law has language to help Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) children to not be discriminated against. -
Castaneda v Pickard
A United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit case that ruled in favor of Castaneda who claimed that his children were not afforded a sufficient Bilingual program. The court decision established a three-part assessment for determining how bilingual education programs would be held responsible for meeting the requirements of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974. -
Plyler v Doe
A Supreme Court case that ruled in a 5-4 decision that a Texas law banning funding for undocumented children and a public school districts attempt to charge a $1k tuition to the undocumented children to be taught at the school, both unconstitutional. The dissent disagreed on the constitutionality of the matter but agreed that the children should be afforded an education.
This ruling let children, no matter their immigration status, attend a public school for free in the district they live in. -
Gomez v Illinois State Board of Education
A Supreme Court case ruling in favor of Gomez. This case was about the identification of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. The plaintiffs case was that the Board of Education failed to provide objective forms of identifying LEP students and that in turn caused the plaintiffs to not have a meaningful education rights under the EEOA. This case was significant because it ruled that there must be a program to identify LEP students early and provide them a meaningful education. -
California Proposition 227
The proposition stated that LEP students would be taught in a separate class with majority english being spoken in order to speed up LEP education. This proposition passed by nearly 3 million votes. This didn't allow for bilingual studies in California public schools. CA Prop 227 was later repealed by CA Prop 58 in 2016. -
Arizona Proposition 203
Similar to CA Prop 227 and lead by the same supporter Ron Unz, a businessman who unsuccessfully ran for Governor of California. The Prop. was to have structured or sheltered English immersion programs for English Language Learners (ELLs). The prop passed and forced an end to bilingual support funding in Arizona. -
Flores v Arizona
A United States District Court for the District of Arizona case that ruled that ESL programs must be adequately funded. -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
A reauthorization of the ESEA signed by George W Bush. The law supported funding for schools as well as accountability through testing of students. -
Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient & Immigrant Students (Title III)
As part of the NCLB Act, the Act states that LEP students must not only attain English proficiency but simultaneously meet the same academic standards as their English-speaking peers in all content areas. Title III provides funding to State Education Agencies (SEAs) and Local Education Agencies (LEAs). -
Massachusetts Question 2
This was a ballot initiative to make ELL students be taught English in all subjects taught in English. So, it was much like the CA Prop 227 and the AZ Prop 203. -
ESEA Flexibility
ESEA Flexibility is the opportunity for states to seek relief from some of the provisions of the No Child Left Behind law that aren’t working. Until Congress passes a law that fixes NCLB, states are being given the chance to request waivers of certain portions of the law. To qualify for flexibility, states must have plans in place to better prepare students for college and careers. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Replacing NCLB, the new law keeps the annual accountability standardized testing for students but shifts the provision to the states.