Bilingual Education and Federal Law: An Overview

Abstract

This report examines the most prominent decisions resulting from the 1974 Supreme Court Lau v. Nichols ruling that public schools cannot ignore the problems faced by students whose native language is other than English. Special attention is focused on the remedies that have been ordered to cure "Lau" violations. The activities of the Office of Civil Rights in formulating and enforcing administrative remedies are also reviewed. The issue of whether a bilingual program is required as a "Lau" remedy -- and, if so, what form that program must take -- is explored. The effectiveness of bilingual programs as "Lau" remedies is reviewed in a discussion of potential arguments that might be used by a school district involved in a "Lau" action. (Author/NCR)