Commissioner's Rules Concerning the State Plan for Educating English Language Learners (ELLs) states that all school districts that are required to provide bilingual education and/or English as a second language (ESL) programs establish and operate a Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC). The LPACs are charged with reviewing all…

Discusses major issues pending in the Second Session of the 104th Congress, noting the impact on language education and focusing on educational reform agendas, recissions, the budget process, appropriations, and English as the official U.S. government language. Individuals in related professional organizations are urged to take steps to influence…

In formulating an official language policy, a country must consider cultural, social, political and economic factors. Alternative policies on language instruction can be categorized into three groups: 1) subordination of the home language to the country's dominant language; 2) bilingual maintenance through the simultaneous provision of instruction…

Describes some of the bills of importance to the English as a Second Language and bilingual education communities and gives their present status in congress. (EKN)

The first section of the ninth annual report of the National Advisory and Coordinating Council on Bilingual Education (NACCBE) provides an overview of the Council's functions and activities. It also discusses current bilingual education law; the changed structure of the advisory council; the new doors opened by the 1984 Amendments of the Bilingual…

This fact sheet is a declaration of rights for parents of English language learners under No Child Left Behind. President George W. Bush had a vision that all children could achieve academic success by receiving a high-quality education. He knew that something had to be done to close the large achievement gap that exists between minority children…

Lau vs Nichols is a 1974 Supreme Court decision which charged that the San Francisco Unified School District had denied equal educational opportunity to non-English-speaking students by failing to provide them with any special language instruction. The court decision was based on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which provides against…

The concept of a "bilingual district" (localized area in which the main language is different from surrounding districts) has been inherent in Canada's official policy for the last ten years. However, sociopolitical changes since the passage of the Official Languages Act of 1974, especially the election of a separatist government in…

Discusses requirements and limitations imposed by federal legislation that affect financial aid for students who need remedial/developmental instruction. Specifically addresses financial needs of students studying English as a Second Language and those who are disabled. (YKH)

Amendments to H.R. 1310 (Elementary Mathematics and Science Education Act) and to the National Defense Education Act of 1958 are presented. Also presented is a summary of H.R. 1310, highlighting: elementary and secondary programs; postsecondary programs; background/need for the legislation; student preparation and achievement; foreign languages;…

Significant 1970's federal legislation regarding American Indian education includes the Tribally Controlled Community Colleges Act; the Gifted and Talented Children's Act (Title IX Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or ESEA) which focuses in part on economically disadvantaged children; the Bilingual Education Act (Title VII ESEA); and the…