Legislative Events and Issues in Relation to ELL Education

Legislative Events and Issues
Directions: Complete the template using 150-200 words for each of the four sections: Legal Cases, Federal Laws and Requirements, State Laws and Policies, and Current Societal Trends and Issues.
Legal Cases


Lau v. Nichols

Castaneda v. Pickard

Flores v. Arizona

Plyler v. Doe

How did the legal case affect the policies and laws governing language instruction?

Students who were English language learners (ELLs) had the right to obtain linguistic help and instruction to have equal access to educational opportunities.

States must offer ELLs support in their original language and English teaching.

The state of Arizona must give ELLs additional support to guarantee that ELLs have equal access to instruction.

Schools must grant undocumented pupils access to education.

How will knowledge of these cases affect your future professional practice?

As a future professional, knowledge of these cases is vital for understanding the rights of language minority students and how to ensure they are receiving equitable access to educational opportunities and services. This knowledge will also help me to know how to provide appropriate language instruction to English language learners under the laws and policies in Arizona.

Federal Laws and Requirements


Every Student Succeeds Acts (ESSA)

Title III

Title VI

Office for Civil Rights/Department of Justice Resolutions

How did the federal law/requirement affect accountability, assessment, funding, and identification in ELL education in Arizona?

Gives states money to develop and carry out initiatives to assist ELLs in meeting the same academic standards as their non-ELL classmates.

Requires states to set aside money to increase ELLs' access to high-quality education and assessment.

States must offer ELLs equitable educational opportunities regardless of their race, ethnicity, or national origin.

Schools must offer ELLs equitable educational opportunities by providing programs for language access and instruction.

How will knowledge of these federal laws and requirements affect your future professional practice?

Knowledge of these laws and requirements is essential for any professional in ELL education. Understanding the implications of these laws and conditions will help educators to ensure that ELL students receive the support they need to succeed. Additionally, professionals must be aware of the legal requirements and processes for evaluating and addressing any potential issues with ELL education. This knowledge will help ensure that any professional practice complies with federal laws and conditions, which is essential for providing a quality education for ELL students.

State Laws and Policies


Proposition 203

House Bill 2010

House Bill 2064

SB1014