The U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Justice (DOJ) have released joint guidance reminding states, school districts, and schools of their obligations under federal law to ensure that English language learner (ELL) students have equal access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential.
“Four decades ago, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Lau v. Nichols that all students deserve equal access to a high-quality education regardless of their language background or how well they know English,” said ED assistant secretary for civil rights Catherine E. Lhamon.