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Naturalization Act of 1790
The first statute in the United States to codify naturalization law. Also known as the Nationality Act, it set the criteria for naturalization to two years of residency, proof of good moral character, and an oath to support the Constitution. -
Ohio adopts bilingual education
Ohio is the first state to adopt a bilingual education law, allowing German-English instruction at the parents’ request. -
The Supreme Court Decides Meyer v. Nebraska
The U.S. Supreme Court decided 1919 that teaching a foreign language to students before high school violated the clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Robert T. Meyer, the Plaintiff, was a instructor who was tried and convicted in the District Court for Hamilton County, Nebraska, teaching a language other than English by reading a German book. -
Bilingual Education Act
Act was signed by President Lyndon Johnson as an an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). It provided and aided students who had limited English speaking ability (LESA), with funds to establish programs to assist them -
ESEA Title VII
Passed by President Johnson. Provided funds for programs, such as bilingual education, that were vital for students and their education. -
The Bilingual Education Act of 1968
This act was passed during an era of rising immigration and an eager civil rights movement. It offered federal funding to urge schools to try methods integrating native-language teaching. -
The Equal Education Opportunities Act
An amendment added to the ESEA which bans discrimination against race, color, age, creed, or national origin in any federally funded activity or program. -
Lau Remedies
Mandated that school districts with more than 5% national-origin children must offer special language instruction for students with a limited knowledge of English. -
Williams et al. v. State of California et al
This case determined California schools needed to provide ELL students with equal access to textbooks and resources. 100 students in San Francisco filed a suit again California stating that schools failed to provide access to instructional materials, safe and decent school facilities, and qualified teachers. -
Proposition 227 English Language In Public Schools
Requires all public school instruction be conducted in English and provides initial short-term placement in intensive sheltered English immersion programs for children not fluent in English.
