Policies and Rulings That Shaped ELL and Bilingual Students

  • 17th Century

    German bilingual education is offered in German communities until WW1
  • Compulsory Ignorance Laws

    African slaves were prohibited from learning English literacy. Slave codes were in effect until the end of the Civil War
  • 19th Century

    Spanish bilingual education programs offered in the Southwest
  • Naturalization and Citizenship Requirement

    English proficiency is a requirement for naturalization and citizenship within the United States
  • Japanese Language Schools

    After WWII, Japanese language schools were closed in California and Hawaii
  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Segregation case stating that English Language Learners cannot be separated from other students throughout their education under the guise of helping them learn English
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    Funding, policies and procedures provided for low-income school districts and to families who have migrated to the United States in order to assist language minority students.
  • Bilingual Education Act

    Funding provided to support bilingual education programs in schools. Became known as Title VII of the ESEA.
  • BEA Reauthorization

    Changes are made to the Bilingual Education Act expanding on the types of programs eligible for Title VII funding.
  • Lau v. Nichols

    Lawsuit filed on behalf of Chinese American students against San Francisco School District claiming they were being denied an equal education due to their lack of English proficiency.
  • Equal Educatioaln Opportunity Act (EEOA)

    Districts are required to implement bilingual education programs for ELLs.
  • BEA Reauthorization

    Re-authorization and changes made to the Bilingual Education Act expanding on the types of programs eligible for Title VIII funding.
  • Castaneda v. Pickard

    Court case ruling that schools must use a 3-pronged test to make sure they are meeting the needs of ELL and thereby complying with EEOA
  • Plyler v. Doe

    Rule setting forth that states cannot deny a free public education to undocumented immigrant children
  • BEA Reauthorizatiaon

    Re-authorization and changes made to the Bilingual Education Act expanding on the types of programs that are eligible for Title VIII funding .
  • BEA Reauthorization

    Re-authorization and changes made to the Bilingual Education Act expanding on the types of programs that are eligible for Title VIII funding.
  • BEA Reauthorization

    Re-authorization and changes are made to the Bilingual Education Act expanding on the types of programs that are eligible for Title VIII funding.
  • BEA Reauthorization

    Final re-authorization and changes are made to the Bilingual Education Act clarifying and defining who the target population is and what programs are available become more explicit
  • No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

    Plan by President George W. Bush focusing on accountability through high stakes testing. Bilingual education is still allowed but BEA is replaced with Title III Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students. It is worth noting that the word bilingual is removed and NCLB uses limited English proficient label.
  • Race to the Top (RtTT)

    Program set forth by President Obama providing grants to states for aimed at education reforms. In order to use the RTTT funds, state grantees must adhere to four requirements, one of which being adopting internationally benchmarked standards that prepare students for success in college and the workplace, and high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable for all students, including English language learners...
  • Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA)

    The most recent re-authorization of ESEA. New requirements for identifying and educating English Learners. ESSA gives the states the power to determine the standards and consequences to which the school district and students will be held to.