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September 17, 1787
39 of the 55 delegates sign the Constitution in the state house in Philadelphia, PA. Our founding document has never been amended to declare English as our official language. Our Founders all respected and supported diversity. -
May 17, 1954
Brown v. Board of Education
ELLs cannot fully be separated from other students throughout their education. States are responsible for providing students with equal education opportunities. -
April 11, 1965
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
Congress passes ESEA. Some of the key components are funds, policies, and procedures that target students from low-income families. -
January 2, 1968
Bilingual Education Act
Enters federal law as Title VII of ESEA.
Provides grants to school districts to support bilingual education programs.
Reauthorized six times - 1974, 1978, 1984, 1988, 1994, 2001. -
January 21, 1974
Lau v. Nichols
One of the most important court decisions regarding ELL learners. It required school districts to provide bilingual education programs and not simply place learners in a classroom to "sink-or-swim". -
June 23, 1981
Castaneda v. Pickard
Established a three-prong test: 1.) ELL programs must be based on well-founded educational theory; 2.) ELL programs must be implemented effectively with proper resources and personnel; 3.) ELL programs must be evaluated to determine whether they are helping students overcome language barriers. -
June 15, 1982
Plyer v. Doe
Court decision that established that undocumented children have the right to attend a free public school in their district. -
1998-2002
State English-only Initiative
These were initiatives in three states where voters, in effect, placed harsh restrictions on bilingual education programs.
1998 - California voters approve Proposition 227
2000 - Arizona voters approve Proposition 203
2002 - Massachusetts voters approve Question 2
These initiatives were funded by a wealthy businessman who had ignored the design and purpose, not to mention the history, of bilingual programs. -
June 14, 2001
No Child Left Behind
George W. Bush plan for the re-authorization of ESEA.
Title VII of Bilingual Act is replaced by Title III, "Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students".
This title would ensure that LEP learners attain English proficiency and help state and local agencies to establish high quality instructional programs. -
July 2009
President Obama announces a new program called Race to the Top.
This program provided 4 billion dollars in competitive grants to states for educational reform. -
2011
ESSA Flexibility
The Obama Administration called upon states to apply for this act.
States would be able to be given flexibility from Title I accountability requirements under NCLB