Legal Responsibilities
There exists a substantial body of Federal law which establishes the rights of English Learners (ELs) and which define the legal responsibilities of school districts serving these students. Administrators and school boards are responsible for local policies and programs and can turn for guidance and direction to this body of law. It includes the following:
1868 Constitution of the United States, Fourteenth Amendment
“… No State shall … deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
“… No State shall … deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
1964 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
“No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
“No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Two U.S. Supreme Court rulings, one interpreting the Fourteenth Amendment and one interpreting the Civil Rights Act of 1964, have exercised considerable influence over the educational rights of language minority students. These cases may be summarized as follows:
1974 Lau v. Nichols
“Where inability to speak and understand the English language excludes national origin minority groups from effective participation in the educational programs offered by a school district, the school district must take affirmative steps to rectify the language deficiency in order to open its instructional program to these students.” “There is no equality of treatment merely by providing students with the same facilities, textbooks, teachers, and curriculum for students who do not understand English are effectively foreclosed from any meaningful education.”
“Where inability to speak and understand the English language excludes national origin minority groups from effective participation in the educational programs offered by a school district, the school district must take affirmative steps to rectify the language deficiency in order to open its instructional program to these students.” “There is no equality of treatment merely by providing students with the same facilities, textbooks, teachers, and curriculum for students who do not understand English are effectively foreclosed from any meaningful education.”
Title I and Title III
English Learner provisions are included under Title I and Title III of NCLB. Title I outlines the state standards, assessment, annual yearly progress, and other accountability requirements for EL students. Title III provides funding to state and local education agencies who are obligated by NCLB to increase the English proficiency and core academic content knowledge of English learners.
English Learner provisions are included under Title I and Title III of NCLB. Title I outlines the state standards, assessment, annual yearly progress, and other accountability requirements for EL students. Title III provides funding to state and local education agencies who are obligated by NCLB to increase the English proficiency and core academic content knowledge of English learners.
Section 31a At-Risk
Section 31a of the State School Aid Act provides categorical funding to eligible Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and Public School Academies (PSAs) for the intent and purposes focused on the following student outcomes: attending school regularly, reading proficiently by the end of 3rd grade, being proficient in mathematics by the end of 8th grade, and being career and college ready by high school graduation. An "At-Risk Pupil" is a K-12 pupil, for whom the LEA has documentation, that meets any of the 10 identification criteria in Section 31a.
Section 31a of the State School Aid Act provides categorical funding to eligible Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and Public School Academies (PSAs) for the intent and purposes focused on the following student outcomes: attending school regularly, reading proficiently by the end of 3rd grade, being proficient in mathematics by the end of 8th grade, and being career and college ready by high school graduation. An "At-Risk Pupil" is a K-12 pupil, for whom the LEA has documentation, that meets any of the 10 identification criteria in Section 31a.
Funds allocated through Section 31a At-Risk are limited to instructional services and direct non-instructional services to pupils. They are intended to be spent in the current State fiscal year and may not be used for administration or other related costs. LEAs may carry over funds for one year. Legislative and technical assistance documents are available below.
Section 41 of the Children and Families Act
Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014 allows the Secretary of State by order to publish a list of approved independent educational institutions, independent special schools and post-16 institutions for the purposes of satisfying Section 38 (Preparation of an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan by local authorities) of the Act. Institutions can only be included on the list with their consent.
Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014 allows the Secretary of State by order to publish a list of approved independent educational institutions, independent special schools and post-16 institutions for the purposes of satisfying Section 38 (Preparation of an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan by local authorities) of the Act. Institutions can only be included on the list with their consent.
Every Student Succeeds Act
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a US law passed in December 2015 that governs the United States K–12 public education policy. The law replaced its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), and modified but did not eliminate provisions relating to the periodic standardized tests given to students. Like the No Child Left Behind Act, ESSA is a re-authorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which established the federal government's expanded role in public education.
No Child Left Behind
The fundamental Title VI requirement for EL students is that they have meaningful access to the district’s educational program. Therefore, the goals for success for EL students should relate to the goals maintained for all students throughout the district. Under federal law, programs to educate children with limited proficiency in English must be: (1) based on sound educational theory; (2) adequately supported so that the program has a realistic chance of success; and (3) periodically evaluated and revised. These are fundamental principles under federal law.
The fundamental Title VI requirement for EL students is that they have meaningful access to the district’s educational program. Therefore, the goals for success for EL students should relate to the goals maintained for all students throughout the district. Under federal law, programs to educate children with limited proficiency in English must be: (1) based on sound educational theory; (2) adequately supported so that the program has a realistic chance of success; and (3) periodically evaluated and revised. These are fundamental principles under federal law.