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14th Amendment
In a series of litigations passed with the end of the Civil War, the 14th amendment addresses the equal rights and protections of minorities previously deprived under life, liberty, and property. This change to the constitution established foundations for minorities in the court of law. -
Meyer v. Nebraska
A law set in 1919 was overturned after U.S. Supreme Court case ruling four years later stating that the state of Nebraska restricted foreign-language education. This violated the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Farrington v. Tokushige
The U.S. Supreme Court took less than two weeks to decide the ruling of Farrington v Tokushige in which the territory of Hawaii's law made it illegal for schools to teach foreign languages without a permit. It was declared unconstitutional as it violated the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment. Since Hawaii was a territory at the time of said ruling, the due process clause under the 14th Amendment did not need to be followed. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This United States Supreme Court case declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. ELL's fall under this clause as well for they cannot be segregated from the general population under the guise of helping them learn English. However, this case also allows public schools to provide equal educational opportunities with bilingual programs. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This case helped pave the way for future cases concerning the rights of ELLs. -
ESEA
Elementary and Secondary Education Act was established as a part of President Johnson's War on Poverty. This act included policies and procedures that targeted students from low-income families. Although this does not directly impact ELL's, it does help those who are considered to be a low socio-economic status. -
Bilingual Education Act
Entered into federal law as part of the ESEA, this act provides grants to school districts and recognizes the needs of ELLs. This law has been reauthorized many times to continuously meet the needs of our growing and diverse ELL population. Accommodations are made to fulfill the personal and social benefits of bilingualism and bilingual education. -
Lau v. Nichols
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled over a case in California that concerned a child's lack of quality education due to their inability to speak English proficiently. The Court decided that the lack of supplemental language instruction in public schools for students with limited English proficiency violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This ruling expanding rights of all students nationwide with limited English proficiency. -
Department of Education
Although it is not a policy or U.S. Supreme court case, the establishment of the Department of Education was created less than 50 years ago. The United States has a much longer history of diversity in education that proceeds the departments founding. -
Castaneda v. Pickard
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a school district in 1981. Here the plaintiff argued that the classroom his children were being taught in was segregated. He claimed that they were grouped based on methods that were both ethnically and racially discriminating. This decisions was ultimately overturned a year later in the court of appeals. -
Gomez v. Illinois State board of Education
The state of Illinois was ruled to be uncompliant with laws concerning English learners. This case discussed specially six children, of whom one had not even been tested yet for language proficiency. It was decided that school districts have a responsibility to serve ELL students. -
Flores v. Arizona
Initially filed in 1992, students and parents together filed a claim that the state failed to adequately fund programs for English language learners. In 2000, The district court settled finding that state's method and levels of funding ELL programs were unaccountable. -
No Child Left Behind
As part of President George W. Bush's plan for reauthorization ESEA, this incorporated plans for language instruction for LEPs and Immigrant Students. An important note in this law was the removal of the word bilingual as it places the assumption that ELP's are simply learning their second language. -
WIDA
In 2002, a new English Language Proficiency Assessment was created to develop common English language standards and assessment in compliance with NCLB. This assesses comprehension and communication in English across state boundaries. Students are assessed on developmental standards including reading, writing, listening, and speaking. -
Race to the Top
Under President Obama, Race to the Top (RTTT) was established to set aside over 4 billion dollars to fund schools. English Language Learners were part of priority 4 and student with high needs. Under RTTT, they were guaranteed high-quality assessments and increased learning time. -
Common Core State Standards
Common Core State Standards were adopted by 42 states including Pennsylvania to hopes to create a common curriculum for all subjects. In regards to English learners, these students may require additional time, appropriate instructional support, and aligned assessments as they acquire both English language proficiency and content area knowledge. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
In addition to the original act of ESEA 1965, Obama's new direction for federal K-12 education policy with would contain an increase of be competitive funding. This would also include more flexibility and a focus on the reforms in order to have the greatest impact on student success. For the first time it required that all students in America be taught to high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college and careers.
