5 Rights Families of English Language Learners Should Know

In Plyler v. Doe, the United States Supreme Court determined that schools cannot deny access to a student on the basis of their immigration status. Then, in Lau v. Nichols, the Supreme Court ruled that language-minority students must be ensured access to the same curriculum provided to their English-speaking peers in all public schools. It mandates that all limited English proficiency students should be provided with special language assistance.

The U.S. Department of Justice requires that schools communicate with parents in a language they understand. The individuals providing these services must be qualified or certified, and schools are not allowed to ask friends, family members, or untrained staff members (or students!) to translate for parents.

 Some of these documents include: report cards, student discipline files, anything relating to special education, parent handbooks, and more. Click here for more information.

School personnel are allowed to request information that proves you live within district lines, like phone bills, lease agreements, or water bills. They are also allowed to ask for paperwork that confirms your child’s date of birth. However, they are not allowed to ask for proof of immigration status. A school district may not bar your child from enrolling in the school if you choose to not provide them with your child’s social security number.

Many schools push back on requests to begin the special education evaluation process, particularly for students who are English language learners. You might hear the claim that the law requires certain interventions to take place first. This is false. Interventions are not allowed to delay the IEP process if a parent has initiated it. A parent can initiate the process at any time and all public schools must comply. Along the way, schools must also ensure that all updates and documents relating to the IEP are translated for the parent, and arrange for qualified interpreters to be present at all IEP meetings.