BEA Language Policy and Legislation 1 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which landmark 1974 Supreme Court case established that schools must provide language assistance to students with limited English proficiency?
- Lau v. Nichols (Correct answer)
- Plyler v. Doe
- Brown v. Board of Education
- CastaƱeda v. Pickard
Correct answer: Lau v. Nichols
Lau v. Nichols (1974) ruled that identical education does not constitute equal treatment when students cannot understand English instruction.
Question 2: Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), English Learners must be assessed for English proficiency on a schedule of at least:
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every two years
- Once at entry and once at exit
- Every three years
Correct answer: Annually
ESSA requires annual English language proficiency assessments for all identified ELs to monitor their progress.
Question 3: The CastaƱeda v. Pickard (1981) case established a three-part test for evaluating bilingual education programs. Which is NOT one of the three criteria?
- Programs must be funded at twice the rate of general education (Correct answer)
- Programs must be based on sound educational theory
- Programs must be implemented effectively
- Programs must demonstrate results over time
Correct answer: Programs must be funded at twice the rate of general education
The CastaƱeda three-part test covers: sound theory, effective implementation, and demonstrated results ā not a funding ratio requirement.
Question 4: Which federal law requires states to establish English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards aligned with academic content standards?
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (Correct answer)
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
- The Bilingual Education Act of 1968
Correct answer: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
ESSA (2015) mandates that states develop ELP standards that reflect the academic language demands of content area standards.
Question 5: The original Bilingual Education Act of 1968 (Title VII of ESEA) primarily targeted which population?
- Low-income students with limited English proficiency (Correct answer)
- All immigrant students regardless of income
- Native American language speakers only
- Students with disabilities who speak other languages
Correct answer: Low-income students with limited English proficiency
The 1968 Bilingual Education Act was initially focused on economically disadvantaged students with limited English, reflecting its Great Society origins.
Question 6: Which federal office is primarily responsible for enforcing civil rights protections for English Learners in public schools?
- Office for Civil Rights (OCR) (Correct answer)
- Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA)
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Correct answer: Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights enforces Title VI protections ensuring ELs receive appropriate language services.
BEA Language Policy and Legislation 1
Which landmark 1974 Supreme Court case established that schools must provide language assistance to students with limited English proficiency?