U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Programs for English Language Learners

First Principle: Selecting the Educational Approach

Regardless of the educational approach selected by the district, in assessing compliance with Title VI a twofold inquiry applies: (1) whether the approach provides for English language development; and (2) whether the approach provides for meaningful participation of ELL students in the district's educational program. OCR encourages districts to develop their own specific program goals. Whether or not such goals are formally developed, OCR requires the program to meet the twofold requirements of Title VI.

There is no equality of treatment merely by providing students with the same facilities, textbooks, teachers, and curriculum; for students who do not understand English are effectively foreclosed from any meaningful education. Lau v. Nichols, 1974