-
Meyer vs. Nebraska
The Supreme Court found a Nebraska law that prohibited schools from teaching students any language other than English to be unconstitutional. Furthermore, the court ruled that parents have a say in their children's education. This is the first court case that agreed that not only parents but also the children have educational rights, and shows the importance of teaching foreign language in schools nationwide. -
Farrington vs. Tokushige
The Supreme Court found a Hawaiian law unconstitutional that stated that schools were required to obtain a permit in order to teach foreign language. Similar to Meyer vs. Nebraska, the court stated that parents and children have a guaranteed right to have a say in their education. Requiring that a state obtain a permit in order to teach foreign language just made schools have to jump through hoops to try to give students a well-rounded education. -
ESEA
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act provided funds to primary and secondary schools. Along with funding the act also emphasized accountability of school to provide an equal education to students. This act was reauthorized as the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001 under George W. Bush and then as the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015 under Barack Obama. -
Period: to
Title VII
Title VII, also known as the Bilingual Education Act, provided funds for primary and secondary education for limited English speaking students. Funds were for schools to use to set up educational programs for bilingual students across the nation. -
EEOA
The Equal Educational Opportunity Act prohibits any discrimination against anyone in the education field, including students, teachers and faculty. This act requires schools to have the same opportunities available for any student within that school no matter their race, color, or gender. This act has effected the education of English Language Learners by requiring schools to not limit the education available to these students. -
Lau vs. Nichols
Lau vs. Nichols determined that measures such as providing the same textbooks and instructions to English Language Learners was not enough and more action needed to be taken when teaching English to non-English speaking students. Further support such as providing instruction in the student's native language was necessary. -
Casteneda vs. Pickard
This court case ruled that a school would need to meet three requirements when establishing and carrying out their English as a Second Language program. These three requirements are that a curriculum is established in the district, the program are effective in carrying out the curriculum, and the program shows growth among the students. This court case is relevant in schools today because an English as a Second Language is still required to have these components. -
Plyer vs. Doe
Plyer vs. Doe established that all students are entitled to an education despite their citizenship status. Students that immigrate to America or are undocumented children should be treated in the school just like any other student. -
Gomez vs. Illinois
This court ruling requires that English Language Learners are provided a meaningful education. For example, they should not sit in a class where the material isn't obtainable to them or where the resources they need to learn are not provided. -
California Proposition 227
The proposition presented by California aimed to have English Language Learners learn English in a rapid program. Some of the aspects of the bill included classes that were almost entirely taught in English only and eliminated English as a Second Language programs that were longer than one year. -
Flores vs. Arizona
Parents of English Language Learners argued that their children were not provided with the resources (including materials and teachers) necessary to be successful. -
Arizona Proposition 203
The proposition, also known as English for the Children, called for limiting English as a Second Language programs and instead immersing learners into English classes. This "sink or swim" method proved to not be successful among students who had limited English proficiency. -
Title III
Title III is a federal grant program which uses a formula that decides the amount given to each school district. This grant was part of the No Child Left Behind Act that was signed into law by George W. Bush. While the funds are used to add resources and modifications to schools' English as a Second Language program, part of the funds are also supposed to be used for informing the parents of students about the program. -
Period: to
No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. NCLB placed much more of a federal role in the education system. Annual assessments were given to students in certain grade levels which would then determine the amount of funding that the school received. -
Massachusetts Question 2
The Massachusetts English Language Education in Public Schools Initiative stated that learners of the English language should be taught all subjects in English. The bill was repealed amended in 2017. -
ESSA
The Every Student Succeeds Act replaced No Child Left Behind when it was passed in 2015 and is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The main change from NCLB to the Every Student Succeeds Act is placed more accountability on the states instead of the federal government.