Legal Cases
Brown v. Board of Education
Ruled it was unconstitutional to separate children in public schools on the basis of race
1954
Civil Rights Act
Stated that English Language Learners could not be discriminated against in public schools that receive federal funds
1964
Home Language Survey
An initial screening given to all new students about the languages they speak at home
TEA
Texas Education Agency
Home Language Survey
Taken at the time of initial school enrollment
Lau v. Nichols
Schools must provide ESL education so students can access the content of instruction
1974
Equal Educational Opportunities Act
Requires schools to take appropriate action to help English Language Learners overcome language barriers
1974
TELPAS
Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System
It is a test to see how well English language learners are learning English in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing
ELPS
English Language Proficiency Standards
Initial TELPAS
Taken within four weeks of initial enrollment in a Texas school for identification
Meyer v. Nebraska
Ruled bilingual education could not be outlawed
1923
Bilingual Education Act
Federal act that shaped education policy of language minority students with the goal of helping them achieve English language proficiency
1968
The Four Levels
Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Advanced High
EB Students
Emergent Bilingual Students (English Language Learners)
Parent Notification
Castañeda v. Picard
Guidelines were created for ESL programs to make sure they were enabling student success to overcome language barriers in school
1978
Every Student Succeeds Act
Replaced No Child Left Behind, recognized the unique needs of English learners, including English learners with disabilities, recently arrived English learners, and long-term English learners
2015
Parent Notification
Parents must be notified in writing that their student has been identified as an English Language Learner
PLD
Proficiency Level Descriptors
How the Texas Education Agency determines an an English proficiency level for ELLs
LPAC meets to make identification decision
Within four weeks of initial enrollment
Plyler v. Doe
Ruled that all children living in the U.S. regardless of their immigration status were entitled to a free public education
1982
No Child Left Behind
Intended to level the playing field for students who were in poverty, minorities, receiving special education services, and speak and understand little to no English
2002
Reclassification
When a student is no longer considered an English Language Learner (also called leaving Emergent Bilingual status)
Must score Advanced High on TELPAS
Also must meet grade level on English Language Arts test
LPAC
Language Proficiency Assessment Committee
They make the official identification decision and determine appropriate program placement
TELPAS (students take the exams again)
Every year in the Spring