Shaping The Future For English Language Learners

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  • Meyer v. Nebraska

    Nebraska had a law forbidding any language besides English be taught in schools, but ultimately this went against the Fourteenth Amendment and now states have the right to choose the language of instruction in public schools.
    This case is important because people had rights besides what was written in the Constitution and this will lead to the rights of English Language Learners over time.

  • Farrington v. Tokushigue

    States have the right to choose the language of instruction in public schools. Very similar to the Meyer v. Nebraska case, this had a violation of the Fifth Amendment.
    This gave parents the right to have a say in how their children were educated. Being an advocate for your child is a full time job.

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    This was a turning point for education. Segregation of children in public schools is now unconstitutional and students need "equal educational opportunities."
    Segregating any population is a horrible idea. I think this is important for the English Language Learner population as they should not be segregated based on language.

  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act

    The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was created to provide equal and quality education for all students.
    A quality education is key to success. An equal education means providing all children the access to the education.

  • Title I

    Part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that all children have a high quality education and must be proficient on state assessments.
    Title I is important to English Language Learners because is gives them "reasonable accommodations" on the state assessments. These accommodations are important to their success on the state assessments.

  • Title VII Bilingual Education Act

    1968-2002. This bill was an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This was the first federal policy that aided students with Limited English Speaking Ability.
    Title VII was a game changer for the English Language Learner population. The government now sees that there is a great need for assistance with this population.

  • Lau v. Nichols

    English Language Learner students need access to the same resources and primary home language other than English.
    In this case the Lau Remedies were created to require the school districts to implement the important bilingual programming.

  • Equal Educational Opportunities Act

    "No state shall deny educational opportunities to an individual on account of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin by... the failure of an educational agency to take appropriate action to overcome language barriers that impede equal participation by its students in its instructional programs"
    The passing of this act is crucial for our students by holding the school districts accountable.

  • Castaneda v. Pickard

    Raymondville School District did not meet the requirements of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act.
    The three pronged test can be used to determine if schools are taking "appropriate action" to meet the English Language Learners needs.

  • Plyler v. Doe

    States cannot withhold funding from school districts who are educating children of illegal aliens.
    Children of illegal aliens did not make the choice their parents did. Any child should be educated and provided with the proper funding for the school districts they attend.

  • Gomez v. Illinois State Board of Education

    The ruling of this case stated that states must comply with the three point tests from the Castaneda v. Pickard case.
    This holds each state accountable. Accountability is a big part of making sure our students receive an appropriate education.

  • California Proposition 227

    This makes English the primary language in public schools, essentially removing the "bilingual" opportunities for English Language Learners.
    Removing the word "bilingual," in my opinion, is detrimental to English Language Learners. How can you learn a new language without translation?

  • Arizona Proposition 203

    This makes English the primary language in public schools, essentially removing the "bilingual" opportunities for English Language Learners.
    Removing the word "bilingual," in my opinion, is detrimental to English Language Learners. How can you learn a new language without translation?

  • Flores v. Arizona

    Arizona's Limited English Proficient programs were in violation of six areas of the Equal Education Opportunities Act due to inadequate funding from the state.
    Without proper funding how are school districts able to adequately provide supports for their students?

  • No Child Left Behind

    President Bush reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as No Child Left behind which English Language Learners as "limited English proficient." Federal funding is based off of student progress.
    The stringent requirements of No Child Left Behind were extremely unattainable for ALL students.

  • Title III

    Title III, "Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students," replaces Title VII, Bilingual Education Act.
    The word "bilingual" was strategically deleted from the description of Title III. This Title also gives flexibility to each state on which programs they choose to allow.
    The education pendulum seems to be swinging away from "bilingual" education.

  • Massachusetts Question 2

    This law mandated that public school teachers shouldn't speak a language other than English in their classrooms for an extended period of time.
    There's a saying that children are sponges. Why not embrace that and teach in multiple languages?

  • Race To The Top

    During the Obama administration, Race to the Top provided grants for schools that met the four requirements.
    Teacher evaluations are linked as part of the requirements.

  • ESEA Flexibility Act

    Under President Obama, the ESEA Flexibility Act granted states flexibility from the rigid standards of No Child Left Behind.
    The flexibility is needed for the goals to be attainable for ALL students.

  • Every Student Succeeds Act

    President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act which replaced the nations education law, No Child Left Behind and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
    This gave the power back to the states for their assessment criteria.