What does Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 require for English-language learner students?
Title VI (a federal law) requires programs that educate children with limited English proficiency to be: • Based on a sound educational theory; • Adequately supported, with adequate and effective staff and resources, so that the program has a realistic chance of success; and • Periodically evaluated and, if necessary, revised. What if parents do not want their child to have services to address their English needs? Parents can opt to not have their children enrolled in an English-language learners (ELL) program. When a parent declines participation, the district retains a responsibility to ensure that the student has an equal opportunity to have his or her English language and academic needs met. Districts can meet this obligation in a variety of ways (e.g. adequate training to classroom teachers on second language acquisition; monitoring the educational progress of the student). How long does a district have to provide special services to ELL students? ELL students must be provided wit
