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Meyer v. Nebraska
Meyer v. Nebraska
The Court declared that the banning of teaching foreign languages to children was unconstitutional. This allowed states to determine the languages of instruction in their public schools but also allowed parents to teach their children their heritage language. This impacted MLE because it was the first step towards a more accepting community for ML students. -
Farrington v. Tokushige
Farrington v. Tokushige
Established states' authority to determine the language of instruction in public schools and protected the right of the parents to organize heritage language classes for their children. Foundational to help students become proficient in their native language as well as English. -
Mendez v. Westminster
Mendez v. Westminster
The Mendez family was the first to file a lawsuit against segregation when their daughter, Sylvia, was turned away from a California public school for “whites only”. Groundbreaking civil-rights case that led to California's Governor Earl Warren to sign a bill that same year, ending school segregation in California, making it the first state to officially desegregate its public schools; ending almost 100 years of school segregation in the state. Paved the way... -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education
Declared that “separate is not equal,” and
segregation violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. While this case focused on the segregation of African American students and required states to provide “equal education opportunities”, Brown encompassed the segregation of multilingual students from peers due to developing English proficiency. -
Ruby Bridges escorted by US Marshals
Ruby Bridges, was the first African American child to attend formerly whites-only William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis on November 14, 1960 - 6 years after Brown v Board. Ruby Bridges is 69 years old today. -
Civil Rights Act
Civil Rights Act Set a standard for educational systems that students will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, color, or national origin in federally assisted programs. This impacted MLL because it required schools to communicate with parents and students in a language they understand. -
The Elementary Education & Secondary Act (ESEA)
The Elementary Education & Secondary Act (ESEA) Focus on support for low-income students and students in poverty. Key policy components intended to support language acquisition, language enhancement, and academic achievement in tandem with funds and procedures. -
Title VII - The Bilingual Education Act
This was the first federal policy that focused on MLL. This policy recognized the importance of bilingualism but focused more on aiding MLL to achieve proficiency in English. -
Rehabilitation Act: Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504
Rehabilitation Act of 1973:
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 Under federal law, schools are required to locate, identify, and evaluate students that may be eligible for special education and disability-related services. For For students dually identified, multilingual students who may have a disability schools must address the rights of students with disabilities in the education context. -
Lau v. Nichols
Lau v. Nichols
The most significant impact for multilingual
education when Chinese American students and their families filed a suit that claimed unequal
educational opportunities which violated the Fourteenth Amendment and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This ruling requires multilingual learners to be provided the necessary support for "a meaningful opportunity to participate in the educational program”. This court case continues to impact MLL's education. -
Equal Educational Opportunities Act (EEOA)
Equal Educational Opportunities Act (EEOA) of 1974
“No state shall deny educational
opportunities to an individual on account of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin including 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” -
Castaneda v. Pickard
Castaneda v. Pickard
ELD instructional programs be designed to meet individual needs for sustained progress in reaching
English proficiency. A three-pronged test is required by EEOA to support schools in designing,
evaluating, and improving English language development programs for multilingual learners by requiring that the multilingual programs be: 1) based on theory, 2) staffed and funded, and 3) effective in helping students achieve language proficiency and academic achievement. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 where Title VII Bilingual Education Act was replaced by Title III “Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students” focused exclusively on English. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
This act, which is the most recent authorization of the ESEA, started in the 2017-2018 school year. This act is tied to federal funds that hold states accountable for these funds. Unlike NCLB, ESSA allows states to set their own goals, and consequences for schools that do not meet these goals. It also takes into consideration academic growth verses an end of the year score on an assessment. -
Multilingual Learner Statewide Strategic Plan
The Washington Multilingual Learner Statewide Strategic Plan was developed by the Multilingual Education Advisory Committee (MEAC) for OSPI. The Multilingual Learner Statewide Strategic Plan (2023) calls for action with 4 core principles: Promote Asset-Based Mindsets, Strengthen Instructional Practices, Provide Support For Educators, and Engage Students And Families.